Raclette Cheese vs Silter Cheese

Raclette Cheese is a semisoft, smooth cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Silter Cheese is firm, crumbly, not very springy, with small to medium-sized eyes 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 Silter Cheese?

Silter is a hard Italian cheese from the mountains of Lombardy, around the province of Brescia, made with unpasteurized cow's milk. It is named after the Val Camonica room where wheels are stored and aged, and it has held EU PDO status since 2015.

What's the Difference Between Raclette Cheese and Silter Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Raclette Cheese (Raw), Silter Cheese (Raw, partially skimmed)
• Texture: Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth), Silter Cheese (Firm, crumbly, not very springy, with small to medium-sized eyes)
• Rind: Raclette Cheese (Washed), Silter Cheese (Hard, straw-yellow turning to brown)
• Aging: Raclette Cheese (3-4 months), Silter Cheese (At least 100 days)
• Taste: Raclette Cheese (Mildly acidic), Silter Cheese (Mild, without bitterness; full-bodied and/or strong notes in very mature cheeses)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Raclette Cheese Taste Like Silter Cheese?

Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic, while Silter Cheese brings mild, without bitterness; full-bodied and/or strong notes in very mature cheeses character. More specifically, Raclette Cheese shows 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal', while Silter Cheese leans toward nuts, butter, milk of cattle at pasture, green or dried fodder, chestnut flour. Aging plays into this as well. Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months develops a different profile than Silter Cheese at at least 100 days.

Can You Substitute Raclette Cheese for Silter Cheese?

In most recipes, Raclette Cheese and Silter 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, crumbly, not very springy, with small to medium-sized eyes. Flavor-wise, Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic while Silter Cheese brings mild, without bitterness; full-bodied and/or strong notes in very mature cheeses notes.

Which Is Better, Raclette Cheese or Silter 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, crumbly, not very springy, with small to medium-sized eyes profile, Silter Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Raclette Cheese suits recipes that want mildly acidic notes, while Silter Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, without bitterness; full-bodied and/or strong notes in very mature cheeses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raclette Cheese the same as Silter Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Raclette Cheese is typically aged 3-4 months, Silter Cheese at least 100 days.

Is Raclette Cheese similar to Silter Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Raclette Cheese for Silter Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Raclette Cheese taste like Silter Cheese?

Raclette Cheese reads as mildly acidic, while Silter Cheese is mild, without bitterness; full-bodied and/or strong notes in very mature cheeses.

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 Silter Cheese made of?

Silter Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, partially skimmed). It's typically aged at least 100 days.

Which should I choose, Raclette Cheese or Silter Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth, while Silter Cheese is firm, crumbly, not very springy, with small to medium-sized eyes.