Pecorino di Filiano Cheese vs Raclette Cheese

Q: Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?

No. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Raclette Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Raclette Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Raclette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese

Raclette Cheese

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano is a firm sheep milk cheese made in the province of Potenza, in Basilicata, southern Italy. It has held protected designation of origin status since 2007, and the village of Filiano celebrates it with a festival each September.

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 Pecorino di Filiano Cheese and Raclette Cheese?

Origin: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Italy), Raclette Cheese (Switzerland)
Milk type: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Raclette Cheese (Cow's milk)
Texture: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Hard), Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
Rind: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Golden yellow to dark brown), Raclette Cheese (Washed)
Aging: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Two to five months, over six months), Raclette Cheese (3-4 months)
Taste: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese (Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury), Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Pecorino di Filiano Cheese	Raclette Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Switzerland
Specific Origin	Northwest Of The Basilicata Region	Alpine Regions
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Raw
Texture	Hard	Semisoft, smooth
Rind	Golden yellow to dark brown	Washed
Aging	Two to five months, over six months	3-4 months
Taste	Sweet and delicate to strong and savoury	Mildly acidic

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese Taste Like Raclette Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic character. More specifically, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese shows sweet in semi-aged, savoury in aged, while Raclette Cheese leans toward 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese at two to five months, over six months develops a different profile than Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months.

Can You Substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese can stand in for Raclette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic notes.

Which Is Better, Pecorino di Filiano 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 Pecorino di Filiano Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and delicate to strong and savoury notes, while Raclette Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly acidic.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese originates in Italy, while Raclette Cheese comes from Switzerland. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Raclette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is typically aged two to five months, over six months, Raclette Cheese 3-4 months.

Is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese similar to Raclette Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Pecorino di Filiano Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Pecorino di Filiano Cheese taste like Raclette Cheese?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese reads as sweet and delicate to strong and savoury, while Raclette Cheese is mildly acidic.

What is Pecorino di Filiano Cheese made of?

Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw), using goat or lamb rennet. It's typically aged two to five months, over six months. It originates in Italy.

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, Pecorino di Filiano Cheese or Raclette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino di Filiano Cheese is hard, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth.