Emmental Cheese vs Tomme du Jura Cheese
Emmental Cheese is a hard or medium-hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Tomme du Jura Cheese is semi-soft 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 du Jura Cheese?
Tomme du Jura is a cow's milk cheese from the Jura mountains of Franche-Comté, sold mostly near where it is made. It is a pressed uncooked wheel with a greyish moldy crust, a paste full of small holes, and a light smell of milk.
What's the Difference Between Emmental Cheese and Tomme du Jura Cheese?
- Origin: Emmental Cheese (Switzerland), Tomme du Jura Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Emmental Cheese (Raw), Tomme du Jura Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard), Tomme du Jura Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Emmental Cheese (natural), Tomme du Jura Cheese (natural, greyish with white molds)
- Taste: Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet), Tomme du Jura Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Emmental Cheese | Tomme du Jura Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | The Jura Mountains In Franche-Comté, France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | Natural, greyish with white molds |
| Aging | 4 months to over 1 year | — |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Emmental Cheese Taste Like Tomme du Jura Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Tomme du Jura Cheese brings mild character. More specifically, Emmental Cheese shows characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged, while Tomme du Jura Cheese leans toward melts on the tongue, light milky notes.
Can You Substitute Emmental Cheese for Tomme du Jura Cheese?
In most recipes, Emmental Cheese and Tomme du Jura 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. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet while Tomme du Jura Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Emmental Cheese or Tomme du Jura 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 profile, Tomme du Jura Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Emmental Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, sweet notes, while Tomme du Jura Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emmental Cheese the same as Tomme du Jura Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Emmental Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Tomme du Jura Cheese comes from France.
Is Emmental Cheese similar to Tomme du Jura Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Emmental Cheese for Tomme du Jura Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Emmental Cheese taste like Tomme du Jura Cheese?
Emmental Cheese reads as nutty, sweet, while Tomme du Jura Cheese is mild.
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 du Jura Cheese made of?
Tomme du Jura Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Emmental Cheese or Tomme du Jura Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard, while Tomme du Jura Cheese is semi-soft.