Armenian String Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Armenian String Cheese?

Chechil, also called Armenian string cheese, is a brined pasta filata cheese from Armenia, sold as bundles of thick or thin fibrous threads that are often tied into ropes, braids or balls. It is frequently smoked and tastes sharp and sour with moderate salt.

What Is Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Tomme de Savoie is a mild, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Savoy in the French Alps. It is made from the skimmed milk left over from butter making, so the fat content stays low, and it carries a thick brownish-grey rind over a beige interior.

What's the Difference Between Armenian String Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Armenian String Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Armenian String Cheese at 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Armenian String Cheese is typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Armenian String Cheese made of?

Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (soured skimmed milk), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand. It originates in Armenia.

What is Tomme de Savoie Cheese made of?

Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized). It's typically aged several months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.