Raclette Cheese vs Raclette de Savoie Cheese
Raclette Cheese is a semisoft, smooth cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Raclette de Savoie Cheese is firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated and made from cow milk.
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 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 Raclette Cheese and Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
- Texture: Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated)
- Rind: Raclette Cheese (Washed), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Washed rind, yellow to brown in color)
- Aging: Raclette Cheese (3-4 months), Raclette de Savoie Cheese (Minimum of eight weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Raclette Cheese | Raclette de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | — |
| Specific Origin | Alpine Regions | 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 | Raw | Raw or heat-treated |
| Texture | Semisoft, smooth | Firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated |
| Rind | Washed | Washed rind, yellow to brown in color |
| Aging | 3-4 months | Minimum of eight weeks |
| Taste | Mildly acidic | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Raclette Cheese Taste Like Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Raclette Cheese shows 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal', while Raclette de Savoie Cheese leans toward creamy, not very sticky, pronounced meltability. Aging plays into this as well. Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months develops a different profile than Raclette de Savoie Cheese at minimum of eight weeks.
Can You Substitute Raclette Cheese for Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
In most recipes, Raclette Cheese and Raclette de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semisoft, smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated.
Which Is Better, Raclette 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 semisoft, smooth cheese, go with Raclette Cheese. For a firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated profile, Raclette de Savoie Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raclette Cheese the same as Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Raclette Cheese is typically aged 3-4 months, Raclette de Savoie Cheese minimum of eight weeks.
Is Raclette Cheese similar to Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Raclette Cheese for Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Raclette 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 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.
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, Raclette Cheese or Raclette de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth, while Raclette de Savoie Cheese is firm and tender, creamy and melting when heated.