Ricotta Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Ricotta Cheese is a soft, moist cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
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 Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Tomme de Savoie is a mild, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Savoy in the French Alps. It is made from the skimmed milk left over from butter making, so the fat content stays low, and it carries a thick brownish-grey rind over a beige interior.
What's the Difference Between Ricotta Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Origin: Ricotta Cheese (Italy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Ricotta Cheese (Whey), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Rind: Ricotta Cheese (None), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Ricotta Cheese (Fresh), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
- Taste: Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ricotta Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | France |
| Specific Origin | Italy | Savoy, French Alps, France |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Whey | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, moist | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | None | Natural |
| Aging | Fresh | Several months |
| Taste | Sweet, slightly creamy | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Ricotta Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Ricotta Cheese shows depending on milk source, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Ricotta Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.
Can You Substitute Ricotta Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie 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, artisan. Flavor-wise, Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Ricotta 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 soft, moist cheese, go with Ricotta Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Ricotta Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, slightly creamy notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ricotta Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ricotta Cheese originates in Italy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Ricotta Cheese is typically aged fresh, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.
Is Ricotta Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ricotta Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ricotta Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Ricotta Cheese reads as sweet, slightly creamy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.
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 Tomme de Savoie Cheese made of?
Tomme de Savoie Cheese is made from cow milk (skimmed or unpasteurized). It's typically aged several months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Ricotta Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.