Pecorino Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
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 Pecorino Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Aging: Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Savoy, French Alps, France |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato | Several months |
| Taste | — | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan.
Which Is Better, Pecorino 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 Pecorino Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Pecorino Cheese is typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. 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, Pecorino Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.