Époisses Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Époisses Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Époisses Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Époisses Cheese?
Époisses is a strongly flavored, washed-rind cheese from Burgundy, made from cow's milk. It is known for its creamy texture and rich, intense flavor with hints of barnyard and bacon. The rind is washed with Marc de Bourgogne brandy during maturation, contributing to its characteristic strong smell and deep orange color. Époisses is typically eaten with crusty bread or used to add depth to sauces.
What Is Tomme Cheese?
Tomme is a type of cheese produced in various regions across France, Switzerland, and Canada, typically made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk. It has a round shape and a variable texture that can range from dense and firm to creamy and soft, with a flavor that can be mild or pungent depending on age and production specifics.
What's the Difference Between Époisses Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Époisses Cheese (France), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Époisses Cheese (Cow's Milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Texture: Époisses Cheese (Soft and creamy), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Époisses Cheese (Washed-rind), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
- Taste: Époisses Cheese (Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced), Tomme Cheese (Varied)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Époisses Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Auxois And Terre Plaine, Burgundy | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's Milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft and creamy | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Washed-rind | Grayish natural |
| Aging | Minimum of 28 days | — |
| Taste | Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced | Varied |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Époisses Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Burgundy Red | — |
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Where to buy Époisses Cheese and Tomme Cheese
Époisses Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Époisses Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, Époisses Cheese offers undergrowth, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. More specifically, Époisses Cheese shows penetrating odor, undergrowth aromas, soft and melting, slightly crumbly center if not long matured, creamy sensation on the palette, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute Époisses Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Époisses Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.
Which Is Better, Époisses Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and creamy cheese, go with Époisses Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Époisses Cheese suits recipes that want subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Époisses Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Époisses Cheese originates in France, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Époisses Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Époisses Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Époisses Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. Époisses Cheese leans undergrowth, and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.
What is Époisses Cheese made of?
Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged minimum of 28 days. It originates in France.
What is Tomme Cheese made of?
Tomme Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in France and Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Époisses Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Époisses Cheese is soft and creamy, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.
See full profiles: Époisses Cheese and Tomme Cheese.