Cheddar Cheese vs Raclette de Savoie Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Raclette de Savoie Cheese is firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated and made from cow milk.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What Is Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Raclette de Savoie is a pressed, uncooked cheese from France. It is made from raw or heat-treated cow's milk. The cheese is traditionally matured for a minimum of eight weeks. It has a washed rind that is yellow to brown and a paste that is white to straw-yellow. Raclette de Savoie is known for its firm and tender texture, becoming creamy and melting when heated. The cheese is typically sold in wheel form, but can also be sliced into wedges or prepackaged for consumers. It is linked to the Savoie region's rich history of livestock farming and cheese-making expertise.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Raw or heat-treated)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Washed rind, yellow to brown in color)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Minimum of eight weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Raclette de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | — |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Savoie And Haute Savoie Departments, And Specific Municipalities In The Departments Of Ain And Isère |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Raw or heat-treated |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Washed rind, yellow to brown in color |
| Aging | A few months to several years | Minimum of eight weeks |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Raclette de Savoie Cheese leans toward creamy, not very sticky, pronounced meltability. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Raclette de Savoie Cheese at minimum of eight weeks.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Raclette de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated profile, Raclette de Savoie Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Raclette de Savoie Cheese minimum of eight weeks.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Raclette de Savoie Cheese made of?
Raclette de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or heat-treated). It's typically aged minimum of eight weeks.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Raclette de Savoie Cheese is firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated.