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Posted March 26, 2008

Out There: German visitors introduced to cheese curds, maple syrup
HANSEN -- No maple syrup? No cheese curds?

Typical fare for Wisconsinites, but for 22 visitors from Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, cheese curds and maple syrup are rather unusual.

"We've got maple syrup, but hardly anyone buys it, because it's hardly used in the kitchen," said one of the visitors, Cati Decker, 18. "It's something special you only get in a few stores."

The exchange students, who range in age from 14 to 18, visited the Rudolph cheese factory and a maple syrup farm Tuesday as part of their three-week stay in Wisconsin. The students alternate years with Assumption High School students, who will visit them next year.

After eating ice cream and curds, the students went to Patrick Ruesch's farm in the central Wood County community of Hansen.

Even though the visit to Wisconsin is during the students' Easter vacation, they have to complete 10 days of schooling while they're here.

"School first, then trips," said Mary Ladick, one of the hosts.

During their stay, the students learned about maple syrup, which is not produced in Landshut.

"We don't have maple syrup at all," said Andi Pfeifer, one of the chaperones. "Just imported."

Crepes are a more familiar choice for the exchange students.

Instant pancake mixes are available, but, "they're not so good," Cati said.

Gathered around a vat of boiling syrup, the students listened to Patrick explain the process of tapping trees, boiling down the watery sap, then bottling up the sweet syrup.

Students also collected sap from trees.

"It's good fun," said Theresa Krusche, 16, as she and Lena Gruber, 15, poured the clear sap into a plastic bucket.

Andi was an exchange student in Marshfield about 16 years ago, but the trip still brought new experiences.

"The cheese factory (Dairy State Cheese in Rudolph) is absolutely new to me," he said.

And to Cati.

"It was kind of weird because I couldn't imagine how they would squeak," she said. "I'm going to buy some and bring to Germany for family to try."

Out There is a local column written by Deb Cleworth. E-mail her at deb.cleworth@cwnews.net or call 422-6730.

Lena Gruber, left, and Theresa Krusche, both of Landshut, Bavaria, help collect sap from maple trees Tuesday at the Patrick Ruesch farm in Hansen. The students are part of an exchange program with Assumption High School. For more photos, go to www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com. DEB CLEWORTH/Daily Tribune