Gorgonzola Cheese vs Raclette du Valais Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
What Is Gorgonzola Cheese?
Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, named for a town near Milan. It comes in two styles: dolce, mild and buttery, and piccante, sharper with a firm, crumbly body.
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 Gorgonzola Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese?
- Origin: Gorgonzola Cheese (Italy), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
- Rind: Gorgonzola Cheese (None), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Washed)
- Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker)
- Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Raclette du Valais Cheese ('Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal')
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Raclette du Valais Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Canton Of Valais |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk, Eringer breed |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Semisoft, smooth |
| Rind | None | Washed |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | 'Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' |
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Raclette du Valais Cheese brings 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' character. More specifically, Gorgonzola Cheese shows dolce: creamy, slightly spicy, delicate. piccante: blue-veined, crumbly, strong, with widespread bluish-green marbling, while Raclette du Valais Cheese leans toward 'floral', 'vegetal', 'fresh butter'. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Raclette du Valais Cheese at minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?
In most recipes, Gorgonzola Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory while Raclette du Valais Cheese brings 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' notes.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola 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 soft to crumbly cheese, go with Gorgonzola Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette du Valais Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while Raclette du Valais Cheese fits dishes calling for 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Raclette du Valais Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gorgonzola Cheese originates in Italy, while Raclette du Valais Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Raclette du Valais Cheese minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'.
What is Gorgonzola Cheese made of?
Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. 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, Gorgonzola Cheese or Raclette du Valais Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is semisoft, smooth.