Ricotta Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Ricotta Cheese is a soft, moist cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
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What Is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.
What Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Ricotta Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Ricotta Cheese (Italy), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Ricotta Cheese (Whey), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Ricotta Cheese (None), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Ricotta Cheese (Fresh), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ricotta Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Whey | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, moist | Semi-soft |
| Rind | None | Gray-blue |
| Aging | Fresh | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Sweet, slightly creamy | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Ricotta Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Ricotta Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Ricotta Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, moist bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Ricotta Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, moist cheese, go with Ricotta Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ricotta Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ricotta Cheese originates in Italy, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Ricotta Cheese is typically aged fresh, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Ricotta Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ricotta Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ricotta Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Ricotta Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.