Cantal Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Cantal Cheese is a firm cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Cantal Cheese?

Cantal is a firm, uncooked cow's milk cheese from the Auvergne region of central France and one of the oldest cheeses in the country. Its tangy, buttery flavor recalls Cheddar and sharpens with age, from the mild jeune to the hard, nutty vieux.

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 Cantal Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Cantal Cheese (Raw), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Cantal Cheese (Firm), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Rind: Cantal Cheese (Gray-white to golden), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Cantal Cheese (Jeune: 30-60 days, Entre-Deux: 90-210 days, Vieux: >8 months), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Cantal Cheese shows jeune: soft, milk-and-butter. entre-deux: balanced, intense. vieux: powerful, spicy. diversity of grasslands contributes to flavor., while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Cantal Cheese at jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Cantal Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

In most recipes, Cantal Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect firm bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan.

Which Is Better, Cantal 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 firm cheese, go with Cantal Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cantal Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Cantal Cheese is typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Cantal Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cantal Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Does Cantal Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Cantal Cheese made of?

Cantal Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged jeune: 30-60 days, entre-deux: 90-210 days, vieux: >8 months. It originates in France.

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, Cantal Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cantal Cheese is firm, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.