Feta Cheese vs Toma Piemontese Cheese

Feta Cheese is a soft goat or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is semi-soft, elastic and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.

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 Feta Cheese and Toma Piemontese Cheese?

• Origin: Feta Cheese (Greece), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw), Toma Piemontese Cheese (pasteurized or whole)
• Texture: Feta Cheese (Soft), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Semi-soft, elastic)
• Rind: Feta Cheese (None), Toma Piemontese Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Feta Cheese (2 months to longer), Toma Piemontese Cheese (15 days (small), 60 days (large))
• Taste: Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild), Toma Piemontese Cheese (Mild, sweet / Savory, salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Toma Piemontese Cheese brings mild, sweet / savory, salty character. On the nose, Feta Cheese offers ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, contrasted with Toma Piemontese Cheese's mild odor with milk and cream characteristics / strong and persistent. More specifically, Feta Cheese shows sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to producer., 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. Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer develops a different profile than Toma Piemontese Cheese at 15 days (small), 60 days (large).

Can You Substitute Feta Cheese for Toma Piemontese Cheese?

Feta Cheese can stand in for Toma Piemontese Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, elastic. Flavor-wise, Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild while Toma Piemontese Cheese brings mild, sweet / savory, salty notes.

Which Is Better, Feta Cheese or Toma Piemontese Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feta Cheese the same as Toma Piemontese Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Feta Cheese originates in Greece, while Toma Piemontese Cheese comes from Italy. Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Toma Piemontese Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Feta Cheese is typically aged 2 months to longer, Toma Piemontese Cheese 15 days (small), 60 days (large).

Is Feta Cheese similar to Toma Piemontese Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Feta Cheese for Toma Piemontese Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Feta Cheese taste like Toma Piemontese Cheese?

Feta Cheese reads as sharp to mild, while Toma Piemontese Cheese is mild, sweet / savory, salty. Aromas also diverge. Feta Cheese leans ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt, and Toma Piemontese Cheese is closer to mild odor with milk and cream characteristics / strong and persistent.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

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, Feta Cheese or Toma Piemontese Cheese?

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