Caciocavallo Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Caciocavallo Cheese is a semi-hard, crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Caciocavallo Cheese?

Caciocavallo is a stretched-curd cheese from southern Italy, made with sheep's or cow's milk and shaped like a teardrop. It has a hard edible rind and tastes much like the aged provolone of the same region.

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 Caciocavallo Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Origin: Caciocavallo Cheese (Italy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
• Texture: Caciocavallo Cheese (Semi-hard, crumbly), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Rind: Caciocavallo Cheese (Smooth, thickens with age), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Caciocavallo Cheese (2 to 12 months, up to 5 years), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Caciocavallo Cheese (Slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Caciocavallo Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Caciocavallo Cheese shows sweet when young; intensifies and becomes piquant and complex with age, dotted with small crystals, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Caciocavallo Cheese at 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

In most recipes, Caciocavallo Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Caciocavallo 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 semi-hard, crumbly cheese, go with Caciocavallo Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Caciocavallo Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Caciocavallo Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Caciocavallo Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Caciocavallo Cheese is typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Caciocavallo Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Caciocavallo Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Caciocavallo Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Caciocavallo Cheese reads as slightly sweet to sharp, piquant, complex, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Caciocavallo Cheese made of?

Caciocavallo Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 2 to 12 months, up to 5 years. It originates in Italy.

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, Caciocavallo Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Caciocavallo Cheese is semi-hard, crumbly, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft.