Canestrato Pugliese Cheese vs Raclette Cheese
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is a compact, friable sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese is a hard cheese from the province of Foggia in Puglia and holds PDO status. It belongs to the Canestrato family, a group of southern Italian hard cheeses made from a mixture of sheep and goat milk.
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 Pugliese Cheese and Raclette Cheese?
- Origin: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Italy), Raclette Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Ewe's Milk), Raclette Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Compact, friable), Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
- Rind: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Brownish-yellow, wrinkled), Raclette Cheese (Washed)
- Aging: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (2 to 10 months), Raclette Cheese (3-4 months)
- Taste: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Spicy), Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Canestrato Pugliese Cheese | Raclette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Foggia, Some Municipalities Of Bari, Apulia | Alpine Regions |
| Milk Type | Ewe's Milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, whole | Raw |
| Texture | Compact, friable | Semisoft, smooth |
| Rind | Brownish-yellow, wrinkled | Washed |
| Aging | 2 to 10 months | 3-4 months |
| Taste | Spicy | Mildly acidic |
Taste Comparison: Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese Taste Like Raclette Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic character. More specifically, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese shows spicy taste, straw-colored paste, compact and friable texture, while Raclette Cheese leans toward 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'. Aging plays into this as well. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese at 2 to 10 months develops a different profile than Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months.
Can You Substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Raclette Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese can stand in for Raclette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect compact, friable bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic notes.
Which Is Better, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Raclette Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a compact, friable cheese, go with Canestrato Pugliese Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Raclette Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly acidic.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese originates in Italy, while Raclette Cheese comes from Switzerland. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk; Raclette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is typically aged 2 to 10 months, Raclette Cheese 3-4 months.
Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese similar to Raclette Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Raclette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese taste like Raclette Cheese?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Raclette Cheese is mildly acidic.
What is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese made of?
Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, whole), using lamb rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 10 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 Pugliese Cheese or Raclette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is compact, friable, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth.