Raclette Cheese
Swiss Raclette cheese
Apart
from the magnificent Swiss Alps themselves, Switzerland's greatest
natural resource is the cow. Farmers living in in the Alpine regions
take full advantage of the moist alpine pastures with its pure and
clean air and move their livestock up the mountains to graze during
the summer season. Their prime breed of cattle enjoy grazing on
the succulent grasses and in turn provide the country with the rich
milk supply that produces high quality cheese. The variety of naturally
growing grasses in the upper altitudes contain a higher protein
and fat content and are highly nutritious. It is also no wonder
why that smooth creamy Swiss chocolate has become so famous. Raclette
cheese is made on both the Swiss and French sides of the Alps but
the cheese bearing the name Valais Raclette is the most famous .The
Valais Raclette (namely cheese made in the Valleys of Bagnes, Goms,
Les Haudères and Orsières) is made according to ancestral methods.
There is no denying that the unique climate and alpine meadows in
the area have an effect on the quality of the milk produced there.
A semi-hard cheese made from unpasturised cow's milk Valais Ralette
cheese has a distinctive aromatic flavour, brushed brown/orange
coloured rind, light-yellow coloured body, fragrant creamy texture,
with scattered holes and has an ideal fat and moisture ratio that
prevents the cheese from separating when melted.
Raclette made in Australia
Nowadays the Swiss have come to grips with their cheese being produced
in Germany, France, Austria, Finland and overseas. Raclette style
cheese is also manufactured in Australia and is slowly becoming
more widely available. The Australian version maintains the unique
flavour of traditional Raclette cheese which intensify when heated
and melts to a creamy consistency. Raclette cheese in Australia
is manufactured here by award winning cheese maker Lactos from Tasmania
and marketed under the name Heidi
Farm Raclette Cheese. It has a light brown outer washed rind,
pale-yellow body, tiny scattered holes, semi hard texture. Aged
between four and six months old, if left uncut, will continue to
age. Since 2006 there is also Maleny
Raclette available, award winning as well and made in Queensland
by Maleny Cheese. In Australia Raclette cheese is sold by the kilogram
and your deli department will usually sell the cheese by cutting
a fresh wedge directly from the round wheel. It is a cheese that
is rather on the expensive side but once you have tasted it you'll
discover why it's the favourite one for melting. Chefs around Australia
are slowly beginning to incorporate Australian raclette cheese into
their sauce recipes, in salads and for soup toppings as they learn
of its flavoursome qualities. You can buy
Raclette cheese at many places in Australia.
Raclette made in New Zealand
New Zealand also produces raclette cheese. The most famous is made
by Mainland and sold under the name Ferndale
Raclette. You should be able to buy it in your local supermarket.
If you have a chance, definitely give this fine cheese a try!
Copyright © 2003 - 2009 Raclette Australia
Pty Ltd (ACN 112 356 448)
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Please also look at:
Fromart Raclette Cheese
Maleny Raclette Cheese
Heidi Farm Raclette
Buying raclette cheese
Order a raclette grill
The Petite
The Gourmet
The
Entertainer
Our new model is out: The
Petite Raclette Grill, a great raclette grill for small
raclette parties!
Get our Raclette
Cookbook and enjoy your next raclette party like never before!
Have a look at our raclette grill models The
Petite, The
Gourmet or The
Entertainer. What a fun way to entertain up to eight dinner
guests.
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