Coulommiers Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese

Coulommiers Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Coulommiers Cheese?

Coulommiers is a soft cheese from the Brie region of France, similar to Brie but smaller in size. It has a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavor that becomes more earthy and complex as it ripens. The cheese is encased in an edible white mold rind that helps to mature the cheese from the outside in.

What Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine is a goat cheese from the Loire Valley of France. It is easily recognizable by its long, cylindrical shape and a small straw running through its center, which helps maintain the shape and distribute moisture. The cheese has a soft, creamy texture with a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes nuttier as it ages.

What's the Difference Between Coulommiers Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

• Milk type: Coulommiers Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
• Milk treatment: Coulommiers Cheese (unpasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Coulommiers Cheese (Soft), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
• Rind: Coulommiers Cheese (White Penicillium candidum), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
• Aging: Coulommiers Cheese (4-8 weeks), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Coulommiers Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Coulommiers Cheese at 4-8 weeks develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.

Can You Substitute Coulommiers Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Coulommiers Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.

Which Is Better, Coulommiers Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Coulommiers Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coulommiers Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Coulommiers Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Coulommiers Cheese is typically aged 4-8 weeks, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.

Is Coulommiers Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Coulommiers Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Coulommiers Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

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

What is Coulommiers Cheese made of?

Coulommiers Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-8 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Coulommiers Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Coulommiers Cheese is soft, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.