Provolone Cheese vs Tomme Cheese

Provolone Cheese is a semi-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 Provolone Cheese?

Provolone is an Italian semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk with a stretched curd. It runs from the very sharp piccante, aged at least four months, to the mild dolce.

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 Provolone Cheese and Tomme Cheese?

• Origin: Provolone Cheese (Italy), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
• Milk type: Provolone Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Texture: Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
• Taste: Provolone Cheese (tangy), Tomme Cheese (Varied)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Provolone Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?

Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character. On the nose, Provolone Cheese offers pleasant, contrasted with Tomme Cheese's milky.

Can You Substitute Provolone Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Provolone Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Provolone Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?

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

Is Provolone Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Provolone Cheese for Tomme Cheese?

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

Does Provolone Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?

Provolone Cheese reads as tangy, while Tomme Cheese is varied. Aromas also diverge. Provolone Cheese leans pleasant, and Tomme Cheese is closer to milky.

What is Provolone Cheese made of?

Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged at least 4 months for piccante. 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, Provolone Cheese or Tomme Cheese?

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