Chevrotin Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Chevrotin Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Chevrotin Cheese is a soft, unctuous goat-milk cheese from France, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Chevrotin Cheese?
Chevrotin is a soft goat milk cheese from Savoy in France, made with unpasteurised milk and ripened at least three weeks on pine shelves. It holds an AOC and is known for a full flavor with a sourness that recalls wild mountain herbs.
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 Chevrotin Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Chevrotin Cheese (France), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
- Taste: Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine), Tomme Cheese (Varied)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chevrotin Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Savoie And Haute-Savoie | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Goat's Milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, unctuous | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Washed-rind | Grayish natural |
| Aging | 21+ days | — |
| Taste | Mild, Caprine | Varied |
Taste Comparison: Does Chevrotin Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, Chevrotin Cheese offers gentle caprine, woody, farmyard, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. More specifically, Chevrotin Cheese shows gentle goatiness, balance of salt, vegetal notes, alpine flowers, pinkish exterior, fine white mold, ivory paste, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Chevrotin Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, unctuous bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.
Which Is Better, Chevrotin Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, unctuous cheese, go with Chevrotin Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese suits recipes that want mild, caprine notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chevrotin Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chevrotin Cheese originates in France, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Chevrotin Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Chevrotin Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. Chevrotin Cheese leans gentle caprine, woody, farmyard, and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.
What is Chevrotin Cheese made of?
Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged 21+ days. It originates in France.
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, Chevrotin Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.