Fontina Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Fontina Cheese?
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.
What Is Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
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.
What's the Difference Between Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Origin: Fontina Cheese (Italy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions)), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Rind: Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-Soft | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | Natural |
| Aging | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | — |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Fontina Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chardonnay | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese | — |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character.
Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
In most recipes, Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Fontina 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 semi-soft cheese, go with Fontina Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery, nutty notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontina Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontina Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France.
Is Fontina Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Fontina Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.
What is Fontina Cheese made of?
Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). It originates in Italy.
What is Tomme de Savoie Cheese made of?
Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Fontina Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Cheese is semi-soft, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.
See full profiles: Fontina Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese.