Saint Albray Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Saint Albray Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Saint Albray Cheese?

Saint Albray is a French soft cheese from Aquitaine, made with pasteurized cow's milk and invented in 1976. It is shaped like the head of a flower, with petals around a hollow center.

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 Saint Albray Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Saint Albray Cheese (pasteurized), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Saint Albray Cheese (Soft), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Rind: Saint Albray Cheese (washed), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Saint Albray Cheese (2 weeks), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Saint Albray Cheese (mild, sweet), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Saint Albray Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Saint Albray Cheese reads as mild, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. Aging plays into this as well. Saint Albray Cheese at 2 weeks develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Saint Albray Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

In most recipes, Saint Albray Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Saint Albray Cheese reads as mild, sweet while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saint Albray Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Saint Albray Cheese is typically aged 2 weeks, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Saint Albray Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Saint Albray Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Saint Albray Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Saint Albray Cheese reads as mild, sweet, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Saint Albray Cheese made of?

Saint Albray Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 weeks. It originates in France.

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, Saint Albray Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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