Ossolano Cheese vs Raclette Cheese

Ossolano Cheese is a firm and springy with small, irregular eyes cow-milk cheese, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Ossolano Cheese?

Ossolano is an Italian PDO cow's milk cheese from the Ossola valley in Piedmont, made year round in small mountain dairies and ripened at least 60 days. It comes as plain Ossolano or as Ossolano d'Alpe, made in summer on pastures above 1,400 m.

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 Ossolano Cheese and Raclette Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Ossolano Cheese (Whole milk from two to four successive milkings), Raclette Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Ossolano Cheese (Firm and springy with small, irregular eyes), Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
• Rind: Ossolano Cheese (Smooth, regular, straw yellow, darkens with age), Raclette Cheese (Washed)
• Aging: Ossolano Cheese (Minimum 60 days), Raclette Cheese (3-4 months)
• Taste: Ossolano Cheese (Harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age), Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ossolano Cheese Taste Like Raclette Cheese?

Ossolano Cheese reads as harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age, while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic character. More specifically, Ossolano Cheese shows floral notes, hints of nuts, buttery diacetyl taste, ripe and dried fruit, vanilla, dog-roses, alpine flowers, spiciness, while Raclette Cheese leans toward 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'. Aging plays into this as well. Ossolano Cheese at minimum 60 days develops a different profile than Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months.

Can You Substitute Ossolano Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

In most recipes, Ossolano Cheese and Raclette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm and springy with small, irregular eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Ossolano Cheese reads as harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic notes.

Which Is Better, Ossolano Cheese or Raclette Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a firm and springy with small, irregular eyes cheese, go with Ossolano Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ossolano Cheese suits recipes that want harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age notes, while Raclette Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly acidic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ossolano Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Ossolano Cheese is typically aged minimum 60 days, Raclette Cheese 3-4 months.

Is Ossolano Cheese similar to Raclette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ossolano Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

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

Does Ossolano Cheese taste like Raclette Cheese?

Ossolano Cheese reads as harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age, while Raclette Cheese is mildly acidic.

What is Ossolano Cheese made of?

Ossolano Cheese is made from cow milk (whole milk from two to four successive milkings). It's typically aged minimum 60 days.

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, Ossolano Cheese or Raclette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ossolano Cheese is firm and springy with small, irregular eyes, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth.