L'Etivaz Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
L'Etivaz Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What Is Tomme Cheese?
Tomme is a class of cheese made mainly in the French Alps and in Switzerland from cow's, ewe's or goat's milk. Most are made from skimmed milk left over from butter making, so they are generally low in fat, and each variety is named for where it comes from.
What's the Difference Between L'Etivaz Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: L'Etivaz Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: L'Etivaz Cheese (hard), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Taste: L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty), Tomme Cheese (Varied)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| L'Etivaz Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Vaud, Switzerland | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | — | Grayish natural |
| Aging | 5 to 13 months | — |
| Taste | Fruity, slightly nutty | Varied |
Taste Comparison: Does L'Etivaz Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, L'Etivaz Cheese offers smokey, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. More specifically, L'Etivaz Cheese shows creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.
Which Is Better, L'Etivaz Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with L'Etivaz Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, slightly nutty notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is L'Etivaz Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. L'Etivaz Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is L'Etivaz Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does L'Etivaz Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. L'Etivaz Cheese leans smokey, and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.
What is L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
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, L'Etivaz Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. L'Etivaz Cheese is hard, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.