Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese vs Raclette Cheese
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese
Raclette Cheese
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is a hard goat or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese?
Canestrato di Moliterno is a hard cheese from Basilicata, Italy, made from a mixture of sheep's and goat's milk. It matures for at least sixty days and is eaten in slices or grated over food.
What Is Raclette Cheese?
Raclette is a Swiss cheese and the dish made from it: the cheese is heated and the melted part is scraped off, usually onto boiled potatoes. It comes from the canton of Valais, where the cheese carries an AOP.
What's the Difference Between Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese and Raclette Cheese?
- Origin: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (Italy), Raclette Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (70–90% goat's, 10–30% sheep's), Raclette Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (Hard), Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
- Rind: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (Marked by canestri), Raclette Cheese (Washed)
- Aging: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese (Fresh, Primitivo (≤6 months), Stagionato (6–12 months), Extra (>12 months)), Raclette Cheese (3-4 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese | Raclette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Matera And Potenza, Basilicata | Alpine Regions |
| Milk Type | 70–90% goat's, 10–30% sheep's | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Semisoft, smooth |
| Rind | Marked by canestri | Washed |
| Aging | Fresh, Primitivo (≤6 months), Stagionato (6–12 months), Extra (>12 months) | 3-4 months |
| Taste | — | Mildly acidic |
Taste Comparison: Does Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese Taste Like Raclette Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese shows sweet and delicate, evolving to complex aromas with age; can be treated with olive oil or soot-water mixture, while Raclette Cheese leans toward 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'. Aging plays into this as well. Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese at fresh, primitivo (≤6 months), stagionato (6–12 months), extra (>12 months) develops a different profile than Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months.
Can You Substitute Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese for Raclette Cheese?
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese can stand in for Raclette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth.
Which Is Better, Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese or Raclette Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese originates in Italy, while Raclette Cheese comes from Switzerland. Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Raclette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is typically aged fresh, primitivo (≤6 months), stagionato (6–12 months), extra (>12 months), Raclette Cheese 3-4 months.
Is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese similar to Raclette Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese for Raclette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese taste like Raclette Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese made of?
Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk. It's typically aged fresh, primitivo (≤6 months), stagionato (6–12 months), extra (>12 months). It originates in Italy.
What is Raclette Cheese made of?
Raclette Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 3-4 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese or Raclette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Canestrato di Moliterno Cheese is hard, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth.