Bread Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Bread Cheese?
Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.
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 Bread Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
- Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bread Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Finland | France |
| Specific Origin | Southern Ostrobothnia, Northern Finland And Kainuu, Finland | Savoy, French Alps, France |
| Milk Type | Cow, goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Squeaky | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | Fresh | Several months |
| Taste | Mild | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.
Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Bread Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bread Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.
Is Bread Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bread Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.
What is Bread Cheese made of?
Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.
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, Bread Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.