Raclette Cheese vs Raclette du Valais Cheese
Raclette Cheese is a semisoft, smooth cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is semisoft, smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 du Valais Cheese?
Raclette du Valais is a semi-hard cow milk cheese from the Swiss Canton of Valais, sold in wheels of about 6 kg (13 lb). It holds an AOP and is used above all for melting in the dish that shares its name.
What's the Difference Between Raclette Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese?
- Aging: Raclette Cheese (3-4 months), Raclette du Valais Cheese (Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker)
- Taste: Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic), Raclette du Valais Cheese ('Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal')
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Raclette Cheese | Raclette du Valais Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Alpine Regions | Canton Of Valais |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk, Eringer breed |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Semisoft, smooth | Semisoft, smooth |
| Rind | Washed | Washed |
| Aging | 3-4 months | Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker |
| Taste | Mildly acidic | 'Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' |
Taste Comparison: Does Raclette Cheese Taste Like Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic, while Raclette du Valais Cheese brings 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' character. More specifically, Raclette Cheese shows 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal', while Raclette du Valais Cheese leans toward 'floral', 'vegetal', 'fresh butter'. Aging plays into this as well. Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months develops a different profile than Raclette du Valais Cheese at minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker.
Can You Substitute Raclette Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?
In most recipes, Raclette Cheese and Raclette du Valais Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic while Raclette du Valais Cheese brings 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' notes.
Which Is Better, Raclette Cheese or Raclette du Valais Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Raclette Cheese suits recipes that want mildly acidic notes, while Raclette du Valais Cheese fits dishes calling for 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raclette Cheese the same as Raclette du Valais Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Raclette Cheese is typically aged 3-4 months, Raclette du Valais Cheese minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker.
Is Raclette Cheese similar to Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Raclette Cheese for Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Raclette Cheese taste like Raclette du Valais Cheese?
Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic, while Raclette du Valais Cheese is 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'.
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 du Valais Cheese made of?
Raclette du Valais Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Raclette Cheese or Raclette du Valais Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.