Raclette Cheese vs Selles-sur-Cher Cheese
Raclette Cheese
Selles-sur-Cher Cheese
Raclette Cheese is a semisoft, smooth cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm 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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
Selles-sur-Cher is a goat milk cheese from Centre-Val de Loire, France, first made in the 19th century in the commune it is named for. It comes as a small charcoal-dusted cylinder of about 150 g, known for its grey-blue mould rind and lightly salty paste.
What's the Difference Between Raclette Cheese and Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
- Origin: Raclette Cheese (Switzerland), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Raclette Cheese (Cow's milk), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Whole goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Raclette Cheese (Raw), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fine and firm)
- Rind: Raclette Cheese (Washed), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ash-coated, light to dark ash)
- Aging: Raclette Cheese (3-4 months), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Ten days minimum)
- Taste: Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic), Selles-sur-Cher Cheese (Fresh, hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Raclette Cheese | Selles-sur-Cher Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Alpine Regions | Sologne, North-Central France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Whole goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semisoft, smooth | Fine and firm |
| Rind | Washed | Ash-coated, light to dark ash |
| Aging | 3-4 months | Ten days minimum |
| Taste | Mildly acidic | Fresh, hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Raclette Cheese Taste Like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut character. More specifically, Raclette Cheese shows 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal', while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese leans toward chalky-white, homogenous, highlighted by rind. Aging plays into this as well. Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months develops a different profile than Selles-sur-Cher Cheese at ten days minimum.
Can You Substitute Raclette Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
Raclette Cheese can stand in for Selles-sur-Cher 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 fine and firm. Flavor-wise, Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese brings fresh, hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Raclette Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher 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 fine and firm profile, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Raclette Cheese suits recipes that want mildly acidic notes, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese fits dishes calling for fresh, hazelnut.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raclette Cheese the same as Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Raclette Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese comes from France. Raclette Cheese is made from cow milk; Selles-sur-Cher Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Raclette Cheese is typically aged 3-4 months, Selles-sur-Cher Cheese ten days minimum.
Is Raclette Cheese similar to Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Raclette Cheese for Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Raclette Cheese taste like Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fresh, hazelnut.
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 Selles-sur-Cher Cheese made of?
Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using small amount rennet. It's typically aged ten days minimum. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Raclette Cheese or Selles-sur-Cher Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth, while Selles-sur-Cher Cheese is fine and firm.