Montasio Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Montasio Cheese
Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Montasio Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
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What Is Montasio Cheese?
Montasio is a cow's milk mountain cheese from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto in northeastern Italy, made on the Montasio plateau since 1200. It is semi-hard and creamy when young, and harder after longer aging.
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 Montasio Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Origin: Montasio Cheese (Italy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Montasio Cheese (Hard), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Semi-soft)
- Aging: Montasio Cheese (Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
- Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Montasio Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto | Savoy, French Alps, France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months | Several months |
| Taste | Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Montasio Cheese shows evolves from mild, creamy, and fruity to fuller, more savory and piquant, with hints of spice as it ages, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Montasio Cheese at fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.
Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
In most recipes, Montasio Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Montasio 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 hard cheese, go with Montasio Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese suits recipes that want mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montasio Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Montasio Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Montasio Cheese is typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.
Is Montasio Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Montasio Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.
What is Montasio Cheese made of?
Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.
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, Montasio Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is hard, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft.