Meringue Cookies – Switzerland

Meringue cookies are made from a mixture of whipped egg whites, sugar, and sometimes an acidic ingredient like lemon, vinegar, or cream of tartar. Meringue cookies are linked to Swiss, Italian, and Polish cuisines. It has been claimed that meringue was invented in the Swiss village of Meiringen.

It was improved by an Italian chef named Gasparini between the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. In making Meringue cookies, the eggs are mixed with a binder, such as gelatin, flour, or salt. The secret to making an excellent meringue is to denature the egg white protein ovalbumin by using a mechanical blade to create rigid peaks.