Red Leicester Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese is a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly cow-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Red Leicester Cheese?
Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.
What Is Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Tomme de Savoie is a semi-firm French cheese from the Savoie region in the French Alps. Made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk, it has a thick rind and a mild, slightly nutty flavor. It’s a low-fat cheese, which contributes to its lightness in flavor, ideal for a simple cheese platter.
What's the Difference Between Red Leicester Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Origin: Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Rind: Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Red Leicester Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | France |
| Specific Origin | Leicestershire | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) | Natural |
| Aging | 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial | — |
| Taste | Caramel, sweet | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Red Leicester Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Red Leicester Cheese
Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Red Leicester Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character.
Can You Substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
In most recipes, Red Leicester Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Red Leicester 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, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly cheese, go with Red Leicester Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Red Leicester Cheese suits recipes that want caramel, sweet notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Leicester Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Red Leicester Cheese originates in United Kingdom, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France.
Is Red Leicester Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Red Leicester Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Red Leicester Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Red Leicester Cheese reads as caramel, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.
What is Red Leicester Cheese made of?
Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.
What is Tomme de Savoie Cheese made of?
Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Red Leicester Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.
See full profiles: Red Leicester Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese.