Beaufort Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Beaufort Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Beaufort Cheese?
Beaufort is a smooth, creamy cheese from the Savoie region of France. Known for its distinct concave wheel shape, it is produced from raw cow's milk and aged in mountain caves for a minimum of five months. Beaufort has a strong, sweet taste and is often used in fondue due to its excellent melting properties.
What Is Tomme Cheese?
Tomme is a type of cheese produced in various regions across France, Switzerland, and Canada, typically made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk. It has a round shape and a variable texture that can range from dense and firm to creamy and soft, with a flavor that can be mild or pungent depending on age and production specifics.
What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Beaufort Cheese (France), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beaufort Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Beaufortin Valley, Savoie Region | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Even yellow color | Grayish natural |
| Aging | 5 to 12+ months | — |
| Taste | — | Varied |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Beaufort Cheese and Tomme Cheese
Beaufort Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Beaufort Cheese can stand in for Tomme 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 creamy, pliable.
Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Tomme 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 creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese originates in France, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Cheese made of?
Tomme Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in France and Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.
See full profiles: Beaufort Cheese and Tomme Cheese.