Fontina Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?"
  • "Is Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Fontina Cheese compare to Tomme de Savoie Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Fontina Cheese compare to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?"
  • "Is Fontina Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese better?"

Fontina Cheese Overview

Fontina is a classic Italian cheese from the Aosta Valley, with a dense, smooth texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic feel. Fontina is excellent for melting and is often used in dishes like risotto, fonduta, and as a table cheese.

Tomme de Savoie Cheese Overview

Tomme de Savoie is a semi-firm French cheese from the Savoie region in the French Alps. Made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk, it has a thick rind and a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It’s a low-fat cheese, which contributes to its lightness in flavor, ideal for a simple cheese platter.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Tomme de Savoie Cheese originated from France.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Fontina Cheese has a PDO (1996). Tomme de Savoie Cheese has a PGI (1996).

Milk Type and Treatment

Fontina Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically unpasteurized or other.

Composition and Texture

Fontina Cheese has a fat content of ~30-45% and a moisture content of ~45-50%. Fontina's texture can be described as "semi-soft". Tomme de Savoie's texture can be described as "semi-soft, artisan".

Taste and Aroma

Fontina Cheese has a mild, buttery, nutty taste. Fontina's aroma can be described as "mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions)". Tomme de Savoie Cheese has a grassy, nutty, tangy taste.

Appearance and Aging

Fontina Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow to golden , is available in wheel, block, sliced, shredded and is aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) . Tomme de Savoie Cheese has a color of ivory .

Rind and Rennet Type

Fontina Cheese's rind is described as natural, often washed and uses traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. Tomme de Savoie Cheese's rind is described as natural .

Ranking

Fontina is ranked #65 out of 996 types based on community views. Tomme de Savoie is ranked #167 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Fontina Tomme de Savoie
Best Pairings Chardonnay No pairings listed.
Other Good Pairings Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese No additional pairings listed.

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Fontina and Tomme de Savoie pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Fontina Cheese Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Country of Origin Italy France
Specific Origin Not Specified Not Specified
Certification PDO (1996) PGI (1996)
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) Skimmed or unpasteurized
Fat Content ~30-45% Not Specified
Moisture Content ~45-50% Not Specified
Rind Natural, Often Washed Natural
Texture Semi-Soft Semi-soft, artisan
Taste Mild, Buttery, Nutty Grassy, nutty, tangy
Aroma Mild to Pungent (earthier in aged versions) Not Specified
Colors Pale Yellow to Golden Ivory
Forms Wheel, Block, Sliced, Shredded Not Specified
Age Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) Not Specified
Rennet Type Traditional (Animal) or Microbial (varies by producer) Not Specified

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a semi-soft cheese, go for Fontina. But if you enjoy a semi-soft, artisan consistency, Tomme de Savoie might be the better pick. Fontina has a mild, buttery, nutty taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Tomme de Savoie offers a grassy, nutty, tangy profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Fontina Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Tomme de Savoie Cheese to Other Cheeses

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