Montasio Cheese vs Tomme Cheese

Q: Is Montasio Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

No. Montasio Cheese and Tomme Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and France and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Montasio Cheese for Tomme Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Montasio Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Montasio Cheese

Tomme Cheese

Montasio Cheese is a elastic to crumbly and hard cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.

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 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 Montasio Cheese and Tomme Cheese?

Origin: Montasio Cheese (Italy), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
Milk type: Montasio Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
Milk treatment: Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
Texture: Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
Rind: Montasio Cheese (natural), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
Taste: Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice), Tomme Cheese (Varied)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Montasio Cheese	Tomme Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	France And Switzerland
Specific Origin	Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto	France, Switzerland, United States
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Texture	Elastic to crumbly and hard	Creamy, pliable
Rind	Natural	Grayish natural
Aging	Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months	—
Taste	Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice	Varied

Taste Comparison: Does Montasio Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, Montasio Cheese offers aromatic, pleasant, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. 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 Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.

Can You Substitute Montasio Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

Montasio Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect elastic to crumbly and hard bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.

Which Is Better, Montasio Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a elastic to crumbly and hard cheese, go with Montasio Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme 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 Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montasio Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Montasio Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Montasio Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Montasio Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

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

Does Montasio Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?

Montasio Cheese reads as mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. Montasio Cheese leans aromatic, pleasant, and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.

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 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, Montasio Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.