Crescenza Cheese vs Raclette du Valais Cheese

Q: Is Crescenza Cheese the same as Raclette du Valais Cheese?

No. Crescenza Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Crescenza Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Crescenza Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Crescenza Cheese or Raclette du Valais Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Crescenza Cheese is a very soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Crescenza Cheese?

Crescenza, also called stracchino, is an Italian cow's milk cheese from Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Liguria. It is eaten very young and known for a rindless, very soft and creamy body with a mild, slightly acidic flavor.

What Is Raclette du Valais Cheese?

Raclette du Valais is a semi-hard cow milk cheese from the Swiss Canton of Valais, sold in wheels of about 6 kg (13 lb). It holds an AOP and is used above all for melting in the dish that shares its name.

What's the Difference Between Crescenza Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese?

Origin: Crescenza Cheese (Italy), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Switzerland)
Texture: Crescenza Cheese (very soft, creamy), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
Rind: Crescenza Cheese (none), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Washed)
Aging: Crescenza Cheese (eaten very young), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker)
Taste: Crescenza Cheese (mild, slightly acidic), Raclette du Valais Cheese ('Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal')

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Crescenza Cheese	Raclette du Valais Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Switzerland
Specific Origin	Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia And Liguria, Italy	Canton Of Valais
Milk Type	Cow	Cow's milk, Eringer breed
Milk Treatment	—	Raw
Texture	Very soft, creamy	Semisoft, smooth
Rind	None	Washed
Aging	Eaten very young	Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker
Taste	Mild, slightly acidic	'Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'

Taste Comparison: Does Crescenza Cheese Taste Like Raclette du Valais Cheese?

Crescenza Cheese reads as mild, slightly acidic, while Raclette du Valais Cheese brings 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' character. Aging plays into this as well. Crescenza Cheese at eaten very young develops a different profile than Raclette du Valais Cheese at minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker.

Can You Substitute Crescenza Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?

In most recipes, Crescenza Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect very soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Crescenza Cheese reads as mild, slightly acidic while Raclette du Valais Cheese brings 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' notes.

Which Is Better, Crescenza Cheese or Raclette du Valais Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a very soft, creamy cheese, go with Crescenza Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette du Valais Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Crescenza Cheese suits recipes that want mild, slightly acidic notes, while Raclette du Valais Cheese fits dishes calling for 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crescenza Cheese the same as Raclette du Valais Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Crescenza Cheese originates in Italy, while Raclette du Valais Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Crescenza Cheese is typically aged eaten very young, Raclette du Valais Cheese minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker.

Is Crescenza Cheese similar to Raclette du Valais Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Crescenza Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Crescenza Cheese taste like Raclette du Valais Cheese?

Crescenza Cheese reads as mild, slightly acidic, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'.

What is Crescenza Cheese made of?

Crescenza Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged eaten very young. It originates in Italy.

What is Raclette du Valais Cheese made of?

Raclette du Valais Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Crescenza Cheese or Raclette du Valais Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Crescenza Cheese is very soft, creamy, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is semisoft, smooth.