This recipe was invented by Swiss shepherds in the 12th century in the canton of Valais. Originally, the name was not "raclette" but "grilled cheese".
In the Middle Ages, the way to prepare this "raclette" involved melting the cheese near a heat source, such as an open fire, and then "scraping" it so that the cheese would flow into the plate.
This gave it the name "grilled cheese." It wasn’t until the 19th century that it spread from the Swiss mountains to its valleys, where it became the national favorite dish. The name "raclette" was established in 1874.
From the 1970s onward, raclette became more accessible thanks to the invention of a raclette machine by a famous French appliance brand. It was during this period that raclette crossed borders and the Savoy raclette was born.
Now everyone can easily enjoy raclette cheese with their potatoes. Since then, it was no longer necessary to scrape half a wheel of cheese by hand while melting it. The convivium is kept alive thanks to slices of raclette that everyone can melt freely in their individual pans.
Currently, the trend is to offer a variety of cheeses during a raclette evening. The range of raclette dishes has expanded. Today you can find, alongside traditional raclette cheese, raclette with pepper or Morbier cheese.
Additionally, new ingredients are appearing to replace potatoes and cold cuts. Check out our alternative ideas to enjoy your raclette evenings once again.
