Raclette Cheese vs String Cheese
Raclette Cheese is a semisoft, smooth cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while String Cheese is semi-hard 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 String Cheese?
String cheese is any cheese made so the milk proteins line up and the cheese peels into strings. In the United States that means snack sticks of low-moisture mozzarella, while versions from Mexico, Slovakia, Turkey and Armenia take other shapes.
What's the Difference Between Raclette Cheese and String Cheese?
- Texture: Raclette Cheese (Semisoft, smooth), String Cheese (semi-hard)
- Aging: Raclette Cheese (3-4 months), String Cheese (60 days for Georgian tenili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Raclette Cheese | String Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | — |
| Specific Origin | Alpine Regions | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Semisoft, smooth | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Washed | — |
| Aging | 3-4 months | 60 days for Georgian tenili |
| Taste | Mildly acidic | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Raclette Cheese Taste Like String Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Raclette Cheese shows 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal', while String Cheese leans toward black cumin and mahleb seasoning in armenian chechil. Aging plays into this as well. Raclette Cheese at 3-4 months develops a different profile than String Cheese at 60 days for georgian tenili.
Can You Substitute Raclette Cheese for String Cheese?
In most recipes, Raclette Cheese and String 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 semi-hard.
Which Is Better, Raclette Cheese or String 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-hard profile, String Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raclette Cheese the same as String Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Raclette Cheese is typically aged 3-4 months, String Cheese 60 days for georgian tenili.
Is Raclette Cheese similar to String Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Raclette Cheese for String Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Raclette Cheese taste like String 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 String Cheese made of?
String Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 60 days for georgian tenili.
Which should I choose, Raclette Cheese or String Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Raclette Cheese is semisoft, smooth, while String Cheese is semi-hard.