Star chef Ivo Adam explains: This is what you need for the perfect Bircher muesli

“The foundation of every good muesli is oatmeal,” says Ivo Adam. It is important to soak the oatmeal long enough. “It’s best to put them in a bowl with milk and a pinch of orange juice and leave them in the fridge overnight.” The flakes should be covered with liquid, but not floating in it. “You have a delicious, soft and creamy muesli base that you can use the next morning however you like.”

“An apple shouldn’t be missing from the original Birchermüesli,” says the man. You shouldn’t tear it apart. “It tastes much better when you grate the apple.” But not too thin, or you’ll be mashed. Grating the apple with a coarse brown or grater is ideal, says Adam. “This keeps the texture of the processed apple rough and firm enough to bite into.” In addition to apples, he adds thawed or fresh fruit and cooked or pickled peaches to his muesli. “Tastes great with apples.”

If the muesli isn’t sweet enough, Adam recommends sweetening the muesli with high-quality honey or, better yet, organic pear syrup. This thickened pear juice is more runny than honey and has a more fruity flavor. “Perfect for muesli,” the man says. She recommends avoiding sweetened yogurt or refined—that is, pure—granulated sugar. “These ingredients can sweeten a muesli and are even more unhealthy than honey and concentrated pear juice.”

Hazelnuts make the muesli crispy. “They complement the textures of milk, yogurt, oatmeal, and fruit,” says Adam. He recommends roasting the hazelnuts in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for about ten minutes. “This way they develop their full taste.” Then chop it coarsely and add muesli. Man: “Which berries you use is a matter of taste. I prefer Piedmont nuts.”

The man says that muesli should not be missing a slight acid note. Classically, add some lemon juice and lemon zest. Alternatively, apple or pear grass or apricot vinegar is suitable. “These ingredients are more fruity and sweeter than lemon juice or zest.” It is important to add the acid only towards the end and in small amounts. “Otherwise the agent will turn sour quickly.”

You can add some freshly whipped cream to the muesli just before serving, the man says. “Oil is a flavor carrier. Cream not only makes muesli more airy, but also enhances the taste.» Finally, salt flakes can be added to the muesli if you wish. “They complement the taste of all other ingredients on the tongue.”