Emmental Cheese vs Toma Piemontese Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is semi-soft, elastic and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Emmental Cheese?

Emmental is a yellow, medium-hard Swiss cheese from the Emme Valley, known for the natural holes that run through it. The taste is savoury but mild. It is eaten cold in chunks or slices and melted into dishes such as gratins.

What Is Toma Piemontese Cheese?

Toma Piemontese is the Piedmont version of Toma, a cow's milk cheese that runs from soft to semi-hard and melts well. It is the variety that carries protected designation of origin status under EU legislation.

What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Toma Piemontese Cheese?

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Toma Piemontese Cheese (pasteurized or whole)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Semi-hard), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Semi-soft, elastic)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Toma Piemontese Cheese (15 days (small), 60 days (large))
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Mild, sweet / Savory, salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Toma Piemontese Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Toma Piemontese Cheese brings mild, sweet / savory, salty character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Toma Piemontese Cheese leans toward dough-white or ivory-white with milk and cream characteristics / yellowish with a savory flavor. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Toma Piemontese Cheese at 15 days (small), 60 days (large).

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Toma Piemontese Cheese?

In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Toma Piemontese Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, elastic. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Toma Piemontese Cheese brings mild, sweet / savory, salty notes.

Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Toma Piemontese Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Emmental Cheese. For a semi-soft, elastic profile, Toma Piemontese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Toma Piemontese Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet / savory, salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Toma Piemontese Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Toma Piemontese Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Toma Piemontese Cheese 15 days (small), 60 days (large).

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Toma Piemontese Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Toma Piemontese Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Toma Piemontese Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is mild, sweet / savory, salty.

What is Emmental Cheese made of?

Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to over 1 year. It originates in Switzerland.

What is Toma Piemontese Cheese made of?

Toma Piemontese Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or whole). It's typically aged 15 days (small), 60 days (large). It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Toma Piemontese Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is semi-hard, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is semi-soft, elastic.