Iconic cheese from Savoie
Raclette de Savoie is a semi-hard raw milk cheese that originates from the Savoie region of Eastern France.
Until now, local milk producers, farmers, cheese makers and affineurs are the guardians of this iconic cheese’s history and recipe. Actually, we can trace the origins of this cheese back to the Middle Ages.
The origin of the name
At that time, farmers would enjoy this cheese in summer on their way to grazing pastures with their cows. Indeed, they would melt half a wheel of cheese on a wood fire and then scrape the melted surface with bread or potatoes.
Actually, this scraping process is where the cheese gets its name from. “Racler” is a French word that means “to scrape”.
How Raclette is made
While Raclette is made both in France and Switzerland, the name Raclette de Savoie is actually protected by an IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée).
Moreover, the IGP dictates that only cheesemakers in Savoie are allowed to use this name. In addition to this, they have to exclusively use the raw, uncooked milk of local cows.
Each wheel weighs around 5 kg and is around 30 cm in diameter. Furthermore, the cahiers de charge specify that the cheese has to be matured for a minimum of 12 weeks on wooden boards.
What Raclette tastes like
At 12 weeks, the cheese develops an orange to brownish-orange natural rind wrapped around a straw-coloured paste.
While the aroma can be moderate to strong, the cheese’s flavour is very delicate with savoury notes of hazelnuts and broth. When melted, the aroma and flavour are tantalisingly elevated.
Keep reading after the break for our tips on how to serve this incredible cheese.
How to serve Raclette de Savoie
You can’t go wrong with tradition here. Melt a half or quarter wheel of Raclette and scrape it onto boiled potatoes, cured meats and cornichons.
Enjoy a local pairing by serving with a glass of Vin Jaune de Savoie or a local Amber Ale.
Substitutes for Raclette de Savoie
There are a number of Raclette style cheeses made around the world. If you are chasing a truly authentic experience, try to find one from France or Switzerland.
A great example of Swiss Raclette is Raclette Berghof. And, if you’re in the UK, look out for Ogleshield, the Raclette from Somerset.
