Canestrato Pugliese Cheese vs Tomme Cheese

Q: Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

No. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese and Tomme Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and France and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Tomme Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is a compact, friable sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.

What Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese is a hard cheese from the province of Foggia in Puglia and holds PDO status. It belongs to the Canestrato family, a group of southern Italian hard cheeses made from a mixture of sheep and goat milk.

What Is Tomme Cheese?

Tomme is a class of cheese made mainly in the French Alps and in Switzerland from cow's, ewe's or goat's milk. Most are made from skimmed milk left over from butter making, so they are generally low in fat, and each variety is named for where it comes from.

What's the Difference Between Canestrato Pugliese Cheese and Tomme Cheese?

Origin: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Italy), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
Milk type: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Ewe's Milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Raw, whole), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
Texture: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Compact, friable), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
Rind: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Brownish-yellow, wrinkled), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
Taste: Canestrato Pugliese Cheese (Spicy), Tomme Cheese (Varied)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Canestrato Pugliese Cheese	Tomme Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	France And Switzerland
Specific Origin	Province Of Foggia, Some Municipalities Of Bari, Apulia	France, Switzerland, United States
Milk Type	Ewe's Milk	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, whole	Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Texture	Compact, friable	Creamy, pliable
Rind	Brownish-yellow, wrinkled	Grayish natural
Aging	2 to 10 months	—
Taste	Spicy	Varied

Taste Comparison: Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. More specifically, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese shows spicy taste, straw-colored paste, compact and friable texture, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.

Can You Substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect compact, friable bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.

Which Is Better, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a compact, friable cheese, go with Canestrato Pugliese Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Canestrato Pugliese Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

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

Does Canestrato Pugliese Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese reads as spicy, while Tomme Cheese is varied.

What is Canestrato Pugliese Cheese made of?

Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, whole), using lamb rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 10 months. It originates in Italy.

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, Canestrato Pugliese Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Canestrato Pugliese Cheese is compact, friable, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.