In short: the Girolle brand is the name of the tool that turns Tête de Moine cheese into rosettes, invented in the Swiss Jura in the early 1980s. At Raclette Club, you’ll find it with the original Girolle, in maple and stainless steel, the model that gave its name to all the others.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links: if you buy through these links, Raclette Club earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The brand in a nutshell
According to the manufacturer and the Swiss press, the Girolle was invented in 1982 by Nicolas Crevoisier, in Lajoux, in the Swiss Jura, and a patent was filed the same year. The idea comes down to one gesture: push a spindle into the center of the Tête de Moine wheel and turn a blade that scrapes the top of the cheese. The name comes from the girolle, the chanterelle mushroom, which the resulting rosette resembles.
According to the brand’s FAQ, the original Girolle is made of solid maple and food-grade stainless steel, with no plastic or composite material, designed in Switzerland with European maple. The range now includes several versions (Original, Mini, Mini+, Supermini, Tradition, Harmonie and Harmonie+), and the manufacturer states a lifetime warranty on the blade and the crank, as well as spare parts. The tool has become inseparable from Tête de Moine AOP, to the point that the cheese trade association features it in its own videos.
On video
Video: SmartCuts Creative on YouTube. Report on the Girolle made by the agency SmartCuts Creative.
Video: Tête de Moine AOP, Fromage de Bellelay on YouTube. Video from the Tête de Moine AOP trade association; the girolle shown is not necessarily the model in our review.
Video: Lakeview Cheese Galore on YouTube. Demonstration by a cheese shop; same type of tool, model not specified.
Video: @murrayscheese on TikTok. Short video from the New York cheese shop Murray’s Cheese about Tête de Moine and the girolle (in English); model not specified.
Its products at Raclette Club
| Model | Type | Best for | Review | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Girolle (ASIN B000LR0VGA) | Rotary cheese scraper in solid maple and stainless steel, for Tête de Moine | Tête de Moine fans who want the original tool | Read the review | Check the price on Amazon.fr |
What we think
The Girolle has an advantage few utensils can claim: it invented its category. On paper, the original version ticks the boxes you expect of a tool you hand down, solid wood, stainless steel, a lifetime warranty on the working parts. And the show is guaranteed: put a Tête de Moine on the table, turn the crank and watch the rosettes appear, it’s the appetizer entertainment that brings everyone together, even those who say they don’t like cheese.
The limit is specialization. The Girolle is made for Tête de Moine and, according to the manufacturer, for a few cylindrical semi-hard cheeses of about 800 g to 1 kg, such as Appenzeller or some farmhouse raclettes. It replaces neither a cheese knife nor a half-wheel scraper. Another point: its name has become a common noun, and many copies are around; on Amazon.fr, check that the brand shown is indeed Girolle Schweiz if you want the original.
Which model should you choose?
- For a whole Tête de Moine at appetizer time: the original Girolle. It has its place in our guide to essential raclette accessories.
- For a cheese board that impresses: pair the rosettes with the ideas in our selection of boards and platters.
- For a smaller size: the brand offers other versions (Mini, Supermini, Tradition, Harmonie) that we don’t have a review of yet; compare their dimensions on the manufacturer’s website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Girolle’s warranty?
The manufacturer states a lifetime warranty on the Girolle’s blade and crank. Keep your proof of purchase to claim it.
Can you find spare parts for a Girolle?
Yes, the manufacturer says it sells spare parts. Specify the model (Original, Mini, Tradition or other) to get the right part.
Where can you buy an original Girolle?
The original Girolle in our review is sold on Amazon.fr, under the brand Girolle Schweiz. You can also find it on the manufacturer’s website and at many cheesemongers. Beware of copies sold under the generic name girolle.
