Havarti Cheese vs Raclette de Savoie Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a smooth cow-milk cheese from Denmark, while Raclette de Savoie Cheese is firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated and made from cow milk.
What Is Havarti Cheese?
Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.
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 Havarti Cheese and Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Havarti Cheese (pasteurized), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Raw or heat-treated)
- Texture: Havarti Cheese (Smooth), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated)
- Rind: Havarti Cheese (rindless), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Washed rind, yellow to brown in color)
- Aging: Havarti Cheese (about 3 months), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Minimum of eight weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Havarti Cheese | Raclette de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Denmark | — |
| Specific Origin | Denmark | 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 | Pasteurized | Raw or heat-treated |
| Texture | Smooth | Firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated |
| Rind | Rindless | Washed rind, yellow to brown in color |
| Aging | About 3 months | Minimum of eight weeks |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Havarti Cheese shows mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello., while Raclette de Savoie Cheese leans toward creamy, not very sticky, pronounced meltability. Aging plays into this as well. Havarti Cheese at about 3 months develops a different profile than Raclette de Savoie Cheese at minimum of eight weeks.
Can You Substitute Havarti Cheese for Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
In most recipes, Havarti Cheese and Raclette de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated.
Which Is Better, Havarti 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 smooth cheese, go with Havarti Cheese. For a firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated profile, Raclette de Savoie Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Havarti Cheese the same as Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Havarti Cheese is typically aged about 3 months, Raclette de Savoie Cheese minimum of eight weeks.
Is Havarti Cheese similar to Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Havarti Cheese for Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Havarti 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 Havarti Cheese made of?
Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.
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, Havarti Cheese or Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Havarti Cheese is smooth, while Raclette de Savoie Cheese is firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated.