Parmesan Cheese vs Tomme Cheese

Parmesan Cheese is a hard, artisan 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 Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

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 Parmesan Cheese and Tomme Cheese?

• Origin: Parmesan Cheese (Italy), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
• Milk type: Parmesan Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
• Rind: Parmesan Cheese (natural), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
• Taste: Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory), Tomme Cheese (Varied)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Parmesan Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, Parmesan Cheese offers nutty, strong, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky. More specifically, Parmesan Cheese shows sharp, salty, savory, strong umami, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.

Can You Substitute Parmesan Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.

Which Is Better, Parmesan Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, artisan cheese, go with Parmesan Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Parmesan Cheese suits recipes that want salty, savory notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parmesan Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

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

Is Parmesan Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Parmesan Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

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

Does Parmesan Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese reads as salty, savory, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. Parmesan Cheese leans nutty, strong, and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.

What is Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. 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, Parmesan Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.