Pecorino Toscano Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese
Pecorino Toscano Cheese is a soft or semihard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
What Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese?
Pecorino toscano is a firm sheep's milk cheese from Tuscany that has held PDO status since 1996. It is the third most produced sheep's milk cheese in Italy, behind pecorino romano and pecorino sardo.
What Is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Toscano Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Sheep's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
- Milk treatment: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Raw or pasteurized), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Heat-treated or raw)
- Texture: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Soft or Semihard), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
- Rind: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Straw-colored), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
- Aging: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard)), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
- Taste: Pecorino Toscano Cheese (Fragrant), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Toscano Cheese | Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Tuscany, Some Municipalities Of Umbria And Lazio | French Side Of The Pyrenees |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or pasteurized | Heat-treated or raw |
| Texture | Soft or Semihard | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens |
| Rind | Straw-colored | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses |
| Aging | At least 20 days (soft), Four months (semihard) | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type |
| Taste | Fragrant | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Toscano Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Toscano Cheese at at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard) develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Toscano Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft or semihard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Toscano Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft or semihard cheese, go with Pecorino Toscano Cheese. For a soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pecorino Toscano Cheese suits recipes that want fragrant notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Toscano Cheese is made from sheep milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Pecorino Toscano Cheese is typically aged at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Is Pecorino Toscano Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Toscano Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Toscano Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese reads as fragrant, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
What is Pecorino Toscano Cheese made of?
Pecorino Toscano Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 20 days (soft), four months (semihard). It originates in Italy.
What is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Toscano Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Toscano Cheese is soft or semihard, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.