Cheddar Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar cheese, perhaps the most famous cheese from England, originated in the village of Cheddar in Somerset. It ranges from mild to extra sharp, with aging times that can extend several years. Cheddar has a firm texture and a deep, nutty flavor that becomes increasingly complex as it matures.
What Is Tomme Cheese?
Tomme is a type of cheese produced in various regions across France, Switzerland, and Canada, typically made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk. It has a round shape and a variable texture that can range from dense and firm to creamy and soft, with a flavor that can be mild or pungent depending on age and production specifics.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Tomme Cheese (Varied)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Grayish natural |
| Aging | A few months to several years | — |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Varied |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Cheddar Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chicken, Ham, Macaroni and Cheese, Merlot, Tuna, Turkey | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Kombucha, Tomatoes | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Cheddar Cheese and Tomme Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Tomme Cheese brings varied 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 Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Tomme 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 creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Tomme 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 creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Tomme Cheese is varied.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized). It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
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, Cheddar Cheese or Tomme 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 Cheese is creamy, pliable.
See full profiles: Cheddar Cheese and Tomme Cheese.