Fontina Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Fontina Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
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 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 Fontina Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Fontina Cheese (Italy), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Fontina Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions)), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
- Taste: Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty), Tomme Cheese (Varied)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Fontina Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | — | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-Soft | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Natural, Often Washed | Grayish natural |
| Aging | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) | — |
| Taste | Mild, Buttery, Nutty | Varied |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Fontina Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Chardonnay | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Fontina Cheese and Tomme Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Fontina Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, Fontina Cheese offers mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. More specifically, Fontina Cheese shows buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute Fontina Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Fontina Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.
Which Is Better, Fontina Cheese or Tomme 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 creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Fontina Cheese suits recipes that want mild, buttery, nutty notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fontina Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Fontina Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Fontina Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Fontina Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Fontina Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
Fontina Cheese reads as mild, buttery, nutty, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. Fontina Cheese leans mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions), and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.
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 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, Fontina Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Fontina Cheese is semi-soft, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.
See full profiles: Fontina Cheese and Tomme Cheese.