Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is a soft, slightly pressed paste cow-milk cheese, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese?
Mont d'Or, also known as Vacherin du Haut-Doubs, is a soft cheese made from raw cow's milk. It originates from the Haut Doubs region in France, near the Swiss border. The cheese has a slightly pressed paste and a washed rind with a downy coating. It is traditionally encircled by a strip of spruce bark and packaged in a spruce wood box. Mont d'Or has a fat content of 45% and is produced seasonally from August 15 to March
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 Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Milk type: Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (Cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (Raw), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (Soft, slightly pressed paste), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese (Washed and given a downy coating), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Haut Doubs, Alongside The Swiss Border, Mont D'Or Massif, Source Of The River Doubs | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, slightly pressed paste | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Washed and given a downy coating | Grayish natural |
| Aging | At least three months | — |
| Taste | — | Varied |
Taste Comparison: Does Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, slightly pressed paste bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable.
Which Is Better, Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, slightly pressed paste cheese, go with Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese made of?
Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using yes rennet. It's typically aged at least three months.
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, Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mont d'Or / Vacherin du Haut-Doubs Cheese is soft, slightly pressed paste, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.