Maroilles Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese

Maroilles Cheese is a semisoft cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.

What Is Maroilles Cheese?

Maroilles is a cow's milk cheese from northern France, sold in rectangular blocks with a moist orange-red washed rind. It is known for its strong smell and takes its name from the village of Maroilles, where it has been made since the 10th century.

What Is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.

What's the Difference Between Maroilles Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

• Milk type: Maroilles Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
• Milk treatment: Maroilles Cheese (pasteurized and unpasteurized), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Heat-treated or raw)
• Texture: Maroilles Cheese (Semisoft), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
• Rind: Maroilles Cheese (Reddish-orange color), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
• Aging: Maroilles Cheese (5 weeks for 25-oz size), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
• Taste: Maroilles Cheese (Creamy taste, powerful aroma), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Maroilles Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. On the nose, Maroilles Cheese offers cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, contrasted with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese's fresh whey to more pronounced aromas. More specifically, Maroilles Cheese shows pungent smell of cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, light ammoniac, milky, slightly salty, with hints of milk curd, hazelnut, and garlic, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter. Aging plays into this as well. Maroilles Cheese at 5 weeks for 25-oz size develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Can You Substitute Maroilles Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Maroilles Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semisoft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.

Which Is Better, Maroilles Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semisoft cheese, go with Maroilles Cheese. For a soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Maroilles Cheese suits recipes that want creamy taste, powerful aroma notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maroilles Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Maroilles Cheese is typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Is Maroilles Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Maroilles Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Maroilles Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas. Aromas also diverge. Maroilles Cheese leans cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is closer to fresh whey to more pronounced aromas.

What is Maroilles Cheese made of?

Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized and unpasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size. It originates in France.

What is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?

Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Which should I choose, Maroilles Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maroilles Cheese is semisoft, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.