Cream Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Cream Cheese is a fresh soft, processed cow-milk cheese from United States, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.

What Is Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Tomme de Savoie is a mild, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Savoy in the French Alps. It is made from the skimmed milk left over from butter making, so the fat content stays low, and it carries a thick brownish-grey rind over a beige interior.

What's the Difference Between Cream Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Origin: Cream Cheese (United States), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Cream Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Cream Cheese (fresh soft, processed), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Rind: Cream Cheese (rindless), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cream Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

In most recipes, Cream Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect fresh soft, processed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Cream Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh soft, processed cheese, go with Cream Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cream Cheese suits recipes that want creamy, mild, sweet notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cream Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cream Cheese originates in United States, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cream Cheese is typically aged unripened, eaten fresh, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Cream Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Cream Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Cream Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Cream Cheese reads as creamy, mild, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Cream Cheese made of?

Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.

What is Tomme de Savoie Cheese made of?

Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized). It's typically aged several months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Cream Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cream Cheese is fresh soft, processed, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.