Frinault Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Frinault Cheese is a soft, soft-ripened cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Frinault Cheese?

Frinault is a soft cheese from the countryside around Orléans in France, made with pasteurized whole cow's milk at 50% fat. It comes as a small 120 g disc in three versions: plain, ash-ripened Frinault cendré, and the longer-aged Frinault sec.

What Is Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Tomme de Savoie is a mild, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Savoy in the French Alps. It is made from the skimmed milk left over from butter making, so the fat content stays low, and it carries a thick brownish-grey rind over a beige interior.

What's the Difference Between Frinault Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Frinault Cheese (pasteurized), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Frinault Cheese (Soft, soft-ripened), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Aging: Frinault Cheese (about 2 weeks), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Frinault Cheese (spicy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Frinault Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Frinault Cheese shows fruity and more perfumed in the cendré version, close to olivet cendré, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Frinault Cheese at about 2 weeks develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Frinault Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

In most recipes, Frinault Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, soft-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese reads as spicy while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Frinault 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 soft, soft-ripened cheese, go with Frinault Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Frinault Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frinault Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Frinault Cheese is typically aged about 2 weeks, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Frinault Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Frinault Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Frinault Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Frinault Cheese made of?

Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 2 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Tomme de Savoie Cheese made of?

Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized). It's typically aged several months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Frinault Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Frinault Cheese is soft, soft-ripened, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft.