History of raclette

MIDDLE AGES
Legend has it that...

There are many legends surrounding the origins of raclette.
The most famous legend says that raclette was born centuries back with a winegrower in Valais. He was tired of eating the same thing every day -a piece of bread and cheese-, so he had the idea of melting the latter. And to his surprise: it was much better that way!
Another story attributes the discovery to a shepherd (also from Valais), Léon, who on one day, without doing it on purpose, placed his cheese too close to the fire. He found it absolutely delicious.
So… was raclette -as so many other great things- discovered by chance? We’ll never know, but chance is a nice start, isn’t it?
12th CENTURY
Valais (CH), the cradle of "roasted cheese"

So much for the legends.
What we though know for certain is that raclette was born in the Swiss mountains, in the Canton of Valais. And that it was in the Middle Ages, around the 12th century.
Back in these remotes times, and for a long time, raclette was not yet called "raclette". It was called “fromage rôti” (roasted cheese).
SINCE THE START
Tradition has ruled the age-old "roasted cheese" craft

Raclette is all about tradition. It has always been and will continue to be.
The steps to produce raclette cheese has been pretty much the same over all the centuries till today. Same steps, same golden wheel-shaped outcome.
Techniques have of course been refined over time, and machinery has taken over some important parts.
But at the base lies the same procedure and craftmenship.
Raclette is raclette. A product made of nature where only the eye and hand of men knows when each step in production is completed and perfect.
1880
The word "raclette" was born

As we mentioned, for centuries raclette was called "roasted cheese".
It was not until the end of the 19th century that the famous word “raclette” made its appearance when penned by a Swiss writer (Eugène Rambert) who enthusiastically recollected Valais and... the raclette he relished there.
At first, "raclette" was only in the masculine. “LE raclette” refers to the cheese that takes its name from the fact that it is necessary to scrape off ("racler" in French) the top of the half-wheel of cheese to recover the melted part.
"LA raclette" (in the feminine) appeared later to designate the meal where you eat "LE raclette" (the cheese itself).
FOR A LONG TIME
Eating raclette was a feast

In the old days, raclette was also a feast that would be celebrated mid-August, when the first raclette cheese wheels of the new season were produced.
At this occasion, the different valleys in Valais (CH) and their farmers would gather and proudly present their respective raclette cheese productions to each other.
The parish priest would then also bless the cheese.
And during the day, they would of course eat a good raclette all together, and drink a glass of local white wine (or two glasses maybe...).
IT'S GOOD AND...
Raclette enables to compact and store the milk over winter

First and foremost, raclette is of course delicious!
But its fantastic taste is not the sole reason for its being.
It is also an ancient and smart way to store the milk over the winter months.
First, the milk is kind of “encapsulated”, preserving the fermented milk and ripened cheese under its crust.
Second these “capsules” of cheese-wheels are very compact, taking much less storage space than milk: 100 litres of fresh milk are indeed “compressed” into 10 kilograms of raclette cheese!
UP TO 1955
Raclette is melted on open wood fires

For very long, raclette was prepared with half a raclette wheel being warmed and melted by the fire.
Once the surface would be all bubbly and creamy, it was scraped off onto a potato.
Yes: just melted cheese and potatoes - and a bit of pepper or spices. You don’t need more. They knew it from centuries back.
1955
The first electric grill is invented

Eating raclette around a wood fire was the most normal thing to do in the old days if you were a mountain farmer, living in the Swiss Alps.
To make the pleasures of eating raclette somewhat more accessible and also enjoyable indoors, the first electric grills appeared in Valais (CH) in 1955.
These were the first generation of machines. They were still quite big and bulky, and very expensive.
1964, SWISS NATIONAL EXPOSITION
Valais presents its raclette to Switzerland and to the World

Raclette was a very local tradition that remained "hidden" for a very long time in the Swiss Alps (in Valais, CH).
It came down from its mountains to the valley and and into the big world on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition in Lausanne in 1964 where it was presented and offered for tasting.
Raclette immediately met with great success among the visitors of the Exhibition -from Switzerland and beyond!-, who widely adopted the dish and started eating it.
Early 70's
Raclette gets into winter sports

In the early 70’s, raclette got associated with the practice of winter sports which were then in full expansion.
Raclette was born in the mountains in Valais (CH) and that’s where some of the most famous ski resorts still are today : Verbier, Zermatt, Crans-Montana, Gstaad, Saas-Fee - you name them!
The marriage of raclette and ski resorts was meant to be - and it still is a happy marriage.
Fortunately raclette now celebrates good moments not only after ski in Switzerland, but everywhere and in alll seasons!
1978
The first raclette pan grill is invented and enables raclette to be preapred at home

For a long time, raclette was enjoyed in ski resorts, in restaurants.
It was complicated to enjoy a raclette at home: the machines to melt the cheese were very big and expensive.
It was in 1978 that the first "domestic" raclette grill was marketed.
Raclette could henceforth invite itself into all homes and treat many, many more people to the pleasures of raclette - the food and its sharing moment around the table.
2007
Raclette from Valais gets the AOP label

Since 2007, the name “Raclette du Valais” has been registered as an “AOP” in Switzerland (Appellation d’Origine Protégée), which translates to Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
This label certifies that the "raclette du Valais" are genuine raclette cheeses - from Valais (CH), from the cradle of raclette.
Thanks to an agreement between the European Union and Switzerland, the PDO "Raclette du Valais" is also protected in the EU.
In 2008, the raclette from Valais even became part of the Culinary Heritage of Switzerland.
You'd like to know more about this important AOP label? Click HERE.
2018, DECEMBER 13
First international raclette day

Since 2018 there has been a "World Raclette Day" (no, seriously!): December 13. And we love that day.
Scribble it down in your calendars. (And it will be easy for you to remember, as it's the same day as Lucia.)
December 13 is of course not the only day one eats raclette in the year. It's another alibi to eat one!
RECENTLY
Raclette consumption is big and growing

Raclette has ever since its invention been a simple occasion to share a joyful moment with family and friends.
The handy raclette grills have multiplied these sharing occasions into all households, all year around.
The Swiss love it (it’s one of their favourite national dishes). And many people outside Switzerland do too.
Raclette's popularity and production have been growing steadily for decades. No wonder!
TODAY, IN 2023
We're proud and glad to bring the original raclette from Valais to Sweden!