Raclette Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Raclette Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Raclette Cheese is a semisoft, smooth cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Raclette Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Raclette Cheese (Switzerland), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Raclette Cheese (Cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Texture: Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Raclette Cheese (Washed), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Raclette Cheese (3-4 months), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Raclette Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Alpine Regions | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Semisoft, smooth | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Washed | Gray-blue |
| Aging | 3-4 months | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Mildly acidic | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Raclette Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Raclette Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Raclette Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semisoft, smooth bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Raclette Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raclette Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Raclette Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Raclette Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Raclette Cheese is typically aged 3-4 months, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Raclette Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Raclette Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Raclette Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Raclette Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.