Piedmont · Italy
Raschera.
Raschera opens with the gentle sweetness of alpine milk, then unfolds into subtle layers of hay and earthiness, with a whisper of spice lingering on the finish. Its semi-hard paste yields to the tooth with a creamy, buttery give, releasing the cool minerality of mountain cellars with each bite. The rind carries the scent of the high pastures where it was born.
Origin
45.1°N · 7.9°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Raschera takes its name from the Raschera alpine pasture (and lake) at the foot of Monte Mongioie in the Cuneo Alps, where the cheese was traditionally produced.
It is notable for coming in both round (tondo) and square (quadrato) formats, the latter being a practical adaptation for transporting down mountain paths. It received Italian AOC in 1982 and EU PDO in 1996.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Semi-hard
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 1–5 mo
- Protected
- PDO · since 1996
- Intensity
- 2 / 5
- Texture
- semi-hard
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Raschera's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for semi-hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut thin half-moons or batons from the wedge; trim waxed or inedible rinds as you go.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Raschera.
44 pairings across 6 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Raschera are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Raschera at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
