Raclette Cheese

Raclette Cheese

About Raclette

Raclette isn’t just a cheese; it’s a proper taste of Alpine life, full of comfort and tradition. It hails from the Savoie region in the French Alps, not far from Switzerland and Italy. Whenever I have a piece, I can’t help but picture cows grazing on mountain pastures. Whether it’s made from raw or pasteurised cow’s milk, Raclette has a lovely flavour and always seems to be at the heart of one of Europe’s best communal meals.

The name raclette comes from the French word racler, meaning to scrape, which is exactly what you do. I love the story of how mountain shepherds would end a long, cold day by the fire, scraping the melted top of a cheese wheel onto bread or potatoes, or whatever was handy. It started as a simple, practical meal, but it’s grown into the raclette tradition we know and love. At its heart, it’s still all about warmth, simplicity, and sharing.

Raclette is made from the milk of local cows, mostly Abondance, Montbéliarde, and Tarentaise, who spend their days munching on Alpine grasses and wildflowers. You can really taste those gentle, nutty, and herbal notes in the cheese. It’s semi-hard, with a smooth, pale-yellow centre and a thin, natural rind. The wheels are usually aged for three to six months, which gives them that lovely supple texture and a mild but aromatic flavour.

Raclette – Jen’s Tasting Notes

How to Serve and Pair Raclette

• A raclette meal is really about getting friends or family together; the food is almost just an excuse.
• These days, most people use a tabletop raclette grill, melting slices of cheese in little pans and pouring it over boiled potatoes. That’s the classic way.
• Cornichons, pickled onions, and cured meats like jambon cru or saucisson are always welcome to cut through the richness.
• Everyone sits around, melting their own cheese and eating at their own pace.
• It’s a long, relaxed meal and, honestly, a perfect way to spend a winter evening.

Jen’s note: We have a grill that we hire out to customers. There’s no charge for the hire, we just ask that you buy the ¼ of Raclette needed for the machine from us and return the grill in the same clean state as you received it. It’s a brilliant centre piece at a gathering.

Buying Raclette

• Brand or Producer: Société Fromagère du Livradois
• Product name: Raclette
• Milk: Cow
• Country: France
• Region: Savoie
• Strength: Medium
• Vegetarian: No
• Suitable for pregnancy: Yes
• Allergens: MILK

Sizes and Prices

• 100g wedge, £2.45
• 500g wedge, £12.25
• 1/4 wheel (approx, 1.8kg), £44.00
• Whole cheese (approx. 7kg), available to pre-order

Storage Advice

• Keep refrigerated
• Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
• Remove from the fridge before serving
• Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening

Delivery and Collection

• UK wide courier delivery
• Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
• Free local delivery available for selected postcodes