What Is Raclette?

The Swiss don’t mess around when it comes to melting foods, probably because it gets so dang cold up in the Alps. They looked at chocolate and said, “We must drink this.” BAM: hot cocoa is born. They are the originators of fondue, one of the most decadent melted cheese experiences around. And they didn’t stop there. Allow us to introduce you to raclette.

What is raclette cheese?

If you are an avid TikToker who has stumbled into the food section of the app, it’s very likely you’ve seen a viral raclette sandwich; it’s an insane cheese avalanche melted onto a hard baguette roll. If you haven’t, treat yourself now. But just be ready to instantly have a craving for it.

Raclette began as a night-time meal for Swiss farmers who would carry a wheel of cheese with them while herding cows into the Alps. They would place their cheese by the fire to soften it up and then scrape it onto a piece of bread. Pretty simple, and it hasn’t changed much in the ensuing centuries. 

France, Germany, Austria, and other nearby countries have adopted the raclette as part of their culinary traditions, but the dish remains distinctly Swiss. In fact, the area of Switzerland named Valais is so well known for its raclette, it has a protected designation of origin tied to the region.

What does raclette cheese taste like?

The term raclette often refers to the dish rather than a specific cheese. This means that there are a number of different cheeses that can be used, resulting in a variety of flavors.

The most obvious cheeses used to make raclette are Alpine in origin: Swiss cheese, emmental, gruyere, and comte are just a few examples. The common denominator for all these is that they are rather soft and have a high moisture content, making them great for melting.

You may also see a cheese in the market specifically called raclette cheese. Thanks to the growing popularity of the dish, this cheese is designed specifically for making raclette in the comfort of your own Alpine chalet. Similar to your typical Swiss cheese, it’s mild in flavor and slightly fruity.

The melting of the cheese adds a whole other level to it. You get some slight caramelization and the texture is divine. 

What do you serve with raclette cheese?

A simple mountain of raclette cheese on a baguette will make me happier than a pig in shit. However, the common accoutrement for raclette in Valais are boiled potatoes, cornichons, and pickled onions. It is also served with hot black tea or white wine. 

Because the cheese slides off the wheel more like a whole sheet than a liquid, it’s not great for dipping. But using it as the cheese for a classic melt sandwich sounds incredible. I can imagine eating a reuben sandwich with raclette instead of sliced Swiss and then immediately dying and going to hog heaven.

Does raclette cheese have lactose?

Raclette cheese and its cousins are all made from cow’s milk, which is chock full of lactose. However, during the aging process of these cheeses, the lactose breaks down, resulting in a much lower level of lactose than other, younger cheeses. 

If you’re extremely lactose intolerant, it’s probably best to avoid raclette, but the lactose content in these cheeses is significantly lower than many of its dairy brethren. 

How do you pronounce raclette?

It’s kind of like “racket” but with an ‘L’ in the middle.