Dunlop Cheese vs Raclette Cheese
Dunlop Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Scotland, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Dunlop Cheese?
Dunlop is a sweet-milk cheese from Dunlop in East Ayrshire, Scotland, made from unskimmed cow's milk and close to a soft Cheddar in texture. Mild, sweet and buttery, it matures for six to twelve months and is eaten on its own or with a dram of whisky.
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 Dunlop Cheese and Raclette Cheese?
- Origin: Dunlop Cheese (Scotland), Raclette Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Dunlop Cheese (pasteurized), Raclette Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Dunlop Cheese (hard), Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
- Rind: Dunlop Cheese (natural), Raclette Cheese (Washed)
- Aging: Dunlop Cheese (6 to 12 months), Raclette Cheese (3-4 months)
- Taste: Dunlop Cheese (buttery, nutty, sweet), Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Dunlop Cheese | Raclette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Scotland | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Dunlop, East Ayrshire, Scotland | Alpine Regions |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Semisoft, smooth |
| Rind | Natural | Washed |
| Aging | 6 to 12 months | 3-4 months |
| Taste | Buttery, nutty, sweet | Mildly acidic |
Taste Comparison: Does Dunlop Cheese Taste Like Raclette Cheese?
Dunlop Cheese reads as buttery, nutty, sweet, while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic character. More specifically, Dunlop Cheese shows mild, sweet and buttery-tasting, while Raclette Cheese leans toward 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'. Aging plays into this as well. Dunlop Cheese at 6 to 12 months develops a different profile than Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months.
Can You Substitute Dunlop Cheese for Raclette Cheese?
In most recipes, Dunlop Cheese and Raclette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Dunlop Cheese reads as buttery, nutty, sweet while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic notes.
Which Is Better, Dunlop 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 Dunlop Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Dunlop Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, nutty, sweet notes, while Raclette Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly acidic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dunlop Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Dunlop Cheese originates in Scotland, while Raclette Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Dunlop Cheese is typically aged 6 to 12 months, Raclette Cheese 3-4 months.
Is Dunlop Cheese similar to Raclette Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Dunlop Cheese for Raclette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Dunlop Cheese taste like Raclette Cheese?
Dunlop Cheese reads as buttery, nutty, sweet, while Raclette Cheese is mildly acidic.
What is Dunlop Cheese made of?
Dunlop Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 12 months. It originates in Scotland.
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, Dunlop Cheese or Raclette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Dunlop Cheese is hard, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth.