Roumy Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Roumy Cheese is a hard cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Roumy Cheese?

Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.

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 Roumy Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Roumy Cheese (Cow's or water buffalo's milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Roumy Cheese (Hard), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Roumy Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Roumy 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 cheese, go with Roumy Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roumy Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, strong notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roumy Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese comes from France. Roumy Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Roumy Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Does Roumy Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Roumy Cheese reads as salty, sharp, strong, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Roumy Cheese made of?

Roumy Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.

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, Roumy Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roumy Cheese is hard, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft.