Pecorino Cheese vs Tomme Cheese

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-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 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 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 Pecorino Cheese and Tomme Cheese?

• Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
• Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Tomme 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 creamy, pliable.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Tomme 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 creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

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

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Tomme 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 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, Pecorino Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

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