Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese vs Raclette Cheese

Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is a soft and compact cow, goat, and sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

What Is Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?

Provola dei Nebrodi is a DOP stretched-curd cheese from the Nebrodi mountains of Sicily, made with raw cow's milk and lamb or kid rennet. It is the only Sicilian provola that is aged, and wheels reach four or five kilograms (about 9 to 11 pounds).

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 Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese and Raclette Cheese?

• Origin: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Italy), Raclette Cheese (Switzerland)
• Milk type: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Cow's whole milk, sometimes with sheep's and/or goat's milk), Raclette Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Soft and compact), Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth)
• Rind: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Thin, straw-yellow to yellow-amber), Raclette Cheese (Washed)
• Aging: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (1 to 4 months), Raclette Cheese (3-4 months)
• Taste: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged), Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese Taste Like Raclette Cheese?

Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese reads as sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged, while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic character. More specifically, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese shows warm milk, butter, fruit notes when fresh; savory and stronger when aged, while Raclette Cheese leans toward 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'. Aging plays into this as well. Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese at 1 to 4 months develops a different profile than Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months.

Can You Substitute Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese can stand in for Raclette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and compact bite and body where the recipe calls for semisoft, smooth. Flavor-wise, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese reads as sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged while Raclette Cheese brings mildly acidic notes.

Which Is Better, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese or Raclette Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and compact cheese, go with Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese. For a semisoft, smooth profile, Raclette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged notes, while Raclette Cheese fits dishes calling for mildly acidic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese the same as Raclette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese originates in Italy, while Raclette Cheese comes from Switzerland. Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk; Raclette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is typically aged 1 to 4 months, Raclette Cheese 3-4 months.

Is Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese similar to Raclette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese for Raclette Cheese?

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

Does Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese taste like Raclette Cheese?

Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese reads as sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged, while Raclette Cheese is mildly acidic.

What is Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese made of?

Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (raw), using farmhouse kid’s or lamb’s rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged 1 to 4 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, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese or Raclette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is soft and compact, while Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth.