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Queso Manchego vs Raclette Cheese
Queso Manchego
Raclette Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Queso Manchego and Raclette Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Queso Manchego and Raclette Cheese?"
- "Is Queso Manchego and Raclette Cheese the same?"
- "How does Queso Manchego compare to Raclette Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Queso Manchego compare to Raclette Cheese?"
- "Is Queso Manchego or Raclette Cheese better?"
Queso Manchego Overview
Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.
Raclette Cheese Overview
Raclette is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk, famous for melting beautifully. It is native to parts of Switzerland and France. The cheese is typically heated, either in front of a fire or by a special machine, then scraped onto diners' plates; it's commonly served with small potatoes, gherkins, pickled onions, and dried meat.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Queso Manchego comes from Spain. Raclette Cheese originated from Switzerland.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996). Raclette Cheese has a .
Milk Type and Treatment
Queso Manchego is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Raclette Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw.
Composition and Texture
Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact". Raclette Cheese has a moisture content of 36-44%. Raclette's texture can be described as "semisoft, smooth".
Taste and Aroma
Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste. Raclette Cheese has a mildly acidic taste.
Appearance and Aging
Queso Manchego's appearance is colored white to yellowish ivory , is available in cylindrical with flat faces and is aged fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) . Raclette Cheese comes in wheel, 14-15 inches in diameter, approximately 3 inches in height and weighing between 15 to 18 pounds and has an aging period of 3-4 months .
Rind and Rennet Type
Queso Manchego's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints and uses animal rennet. Raclette Cheese's rind is described as washed , with animal rennet.
Ranking
Queso Manchego is ranked #27 out of 996 types based on community views. Raclette is ranked #63 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Queso Manchego | Raclette | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Albariño, Almonds, Cava, Chorizo, Dried Figs, Dried Fruit, Tequila | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Crackers, Dirty Martini, Fig Jam, Grapes, Green Apple, Grüner Veltliner, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, Madeira, Malbec, Pear, Port, Scotch | Riesling |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Queso Manchego and Raclette pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Queso Manchego | Raclette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | La Mancha Region | Alpine Regions |
| Certification | PDO (1996) | |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | Raw |
| Moisture Content | Not Specified | 36-44% |
| Rind | Pleita and flor imprints | Washed |
| Texture | Compact | Semisoft, smooth |
| Taste | Slightly acidic | Mildly acidic |
| Colors | White to yellowish ivory | Not Specified |
| Forms | Cylindrical with flat faces | Wheel, 14-15 inches in diameter, approximately 3 inches in height and weighing between 15 to 18 pounds |
| Age | Fresco (2 weeks), Semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), Curado (3-6 months), Viejo or Anejo (1 year) | 3-4 months |
| Rennet Type | Animal rennet | Animal |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a compact cheese, go for Queso Manchego. But if you enjoy a semisoft, smooth consistency, Raclette might be the better pick. Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Raclette offers a mildly acidic profile, ideal for different meals.
