Are Your Friends Feeling a Little Cheesy?

Learn about raclette cheese in France

Also Appears In: Greetings From Paris: Culture Class in French Throwback Thursday Culture File: France

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Lesson Transcript

Are Your Friends Feeling a Little Cheesy?

In this lesson, we’re going to learn about raclette cheese. I’m Becky, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 21 - Are Your Friends Feeling a Little Cheesy?

In France, especially during winter, Raclette nights are a very popular pastime. Now you’re probably wondering "what's a Raclette?"

Raclette is a type of cheese that originally came from Switzerland, but now is also produced in France. The word “raclette” is also used to refer to the dish made using this cheese. A simple dish, it only requires boiled potatoes, or pommes de terre, raclette cheese (of course), and some deli meat, or charcuterie.

Originally, people had to cut the raclette into slices, but these days it's easy to find pre-sliced bricks of it. You put the raclette on individual pans, where it is melted using a special warming appliance, or appareil, that sits in the center of the table. Then you heat the meat on top of the warmer, put the cut-up potatoes on top of it, place the raclette on top of the whole thing, and dig in! It's a very simple meal and hospitable as well since everyone gathers around the raclette warmer at the table. This kind of meal is especially wonderful when enjoying a winter ski holiday!

Another very important thing to remember when eating Raclette is to eat along with a glass of white wine, or vin blanc! Generally, the French eat raclette with wine from the region of Savoie. Also, after eating, don't forget to air out, or aérer, the room because warmers tend to heat up the room quite a bit and the smell of cheese will linger for days if not quickly dealt with.