Cheddar Cheese vs Toma Piemontese Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Toma Piemontese Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a hard, crumbly cow-milk cheese from England, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is semi-soft, elastic and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Cheddar Cheese
Buy Toma Piemontese Cheese
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What Is Toma Piemontese Cheese?
Toma Piemontese is the Piedmont version of Toma, a cow's milk cheese that runs from soft to semi-hard and melts well. It is the variety that carries protected designation of origin status under EU legislation.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Toma Piemontese Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Italy)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Toma Piemontese Cheese (pasteurized or whole)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Hard, crumbly), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Semi-soft, elastic)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Toma Piemontese Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Toma Piemontese Cheese (15 days (small), 60 days (large))
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Mild, sweet / Savory, salty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Toma Piemontese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Cuneo, Turin, Biella, Vercelli, Novara, Verbania, Parts Of Asti |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized or whole |
| Texture | Hard, crumbly | Semi-soft, elastic |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural |
| Aging | A few months to several years | 15 days (small), 60 days (large) |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Mild, sweet / Savory, salty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Toma Piemontese Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Toma Piemontese Cheese brings mild, sweet / savory, salty character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Toma Piemontese Cheese leans toward dough-white or ivory-white with milk and cream characteristics / yellowish with a savory flavor. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Toma Piemontese Cheese at 15 days (small), 60 days (large).
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Toma Piemontese Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Toma Piemontese Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, elastic. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Toma Piemontese Cheese brings mild, sweet / savory, salty notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Toma Piemontese Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, crumbly cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a semi-soft, elastic profile, Toma Piemontese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Toma Piemontese Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet / savory, salty.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Toma Piemontese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Toma Piemontese Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Toma Piemontese Cheese 15 days (small), 60 days (large).
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Toma Piemontese Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Toma Piemontese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Toma Piemontese Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is mild, sweet / savory, salty.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Toma Piemontese Cheese made of?
Toma Piemontese Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or whole). It's typically aged 15 days (small), 60 days (large). It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Toma Piemontese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is hard, crumbly, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is semi-soft, elastic.