Beaufort Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
What Is Beaufort Cheese?
Beaufort is a firm raw cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps, part of the gruyère family. Its wheels take a concave shape from the beechwood hoop, and the cheese melts easily enough to be a standard choice for fondue.
What Is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
- Milk type: Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
- Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
- Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | French Side Of The Pyrenees |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Heat-treated or raw |
| Texture | Hard | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type |
| Taste | Strong | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas |
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese's fresh whey to more pronounced aromas. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas. Aromas also diverge. Beaufort Cheese leans fruity, nutty, and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is closer to fresh whey to more pronounced aromas.
What is Beaufort Cheese made of?
Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.
What is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.