Pélardon Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Pélardon Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Pélardon Cheese is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Pélardon Cheese?
Pélardon is a small round goat's milk cheese from the Cévennes range in France's Languedoc-Roussillon region. It ripens under a white mold rind and has carried AOC status since August 2000.
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 Pélardon Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Pélardon Cheese (France), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Pélardon Cheese (goat), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Texture: Pélardon Cheese (soft), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Pélardon Cheese (bloomy, white mold), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pélardon Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Cévennes Range, Languedoc-Roussillon, France | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Bloomy, white mold | Grayish natural |
| Taste | — | Varied |
Taste Comparison: Does Pélardon Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Pélardon Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Pélardon Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable.
Which Is Better, Pélardon Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Pélardon Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pélardon Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pélardon Cheese originates in France, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Pélardon Cheese is made from goat milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Pélardon Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pélardon Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pélardon Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Pélardon Cheese made of?
Pélardon Cheese is made from goat milk. It originates in France.
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, Pélardon Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pélardon Cheese is soft, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.