Ossau-Iraty Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Ossau-Iraty Cheese is a homogeneous, uncooked, pressed sheep-milk cheese from France, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's milk cheese from the Northern Basque Country and Béarn in south-western France. Uncooked and pressed, it is smooth, creamy and firm, and has held appellation d'origine contrôlée status since 1980.

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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Milk type: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (sheep's milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Raw), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Rind: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Natural, smooth, orange to gray), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Minimum 80-120 days), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (fruity, herbaceous, nutty), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Ossau-Iraty Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese reads as fruity, herbaceous, nutty, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Ossau-Iraty Cheese at minimum 80-120 days develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Ossau-Iraty Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect homogeneous, uncooked, pressed bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Ossau-Iraty Cheese reads as fruity, herbaceous, nutty while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Ossau-Iraty 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 homogeneous, uncooked, pressed cheese, go with Ossau-Iraty Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ossau-Iraty Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, herbaceous, nutty notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ossau-Iraty Cheese is typically aged minimum 80-120 days, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Ossau-Iraty Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Does Ossau-Iraty Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese reads as fruity, herbaceous, nutty, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Ossau-Iraty Cheese made of?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum 80-120 days. It originates in France.

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, Ossau-Iraty Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.