Emmental Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 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 Emmental Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Aging: Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Emmental 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 hard or medium-hard cheese, go with Emmental Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emmental Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Emmental Cheese is typically aged 4 months to over 1 year, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Emmental Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Does Emmental Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

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 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, Emmental Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.