Cheddar Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Heat-treated or raw)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
- Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | — |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | French Side Of The Pyrenees |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Heat-treated or raw |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses |
| Aging | A few months to several years | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas 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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter. Aging plays into this as well. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.