Comté Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Comté Cheese
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Comté Cheese is a smooth; semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
What Is Comté Cheese?
Comté is a hard cheese from eastern France, made daily from raw cow's milk in village dairies called fruitières. It holds PDO status, has the largest production of any French PDO cheese, and tastes mild, nutty, salty and slightly sweet.
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 Comté Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Milk type: Comté Cheese (Cow's Milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Texture: Comté Cheese (Smooth; Semi-hard), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Comté Cheese (Natural), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Comté Cheese (4 months to 3 years), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Comté Cheese | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Massif Du Jura | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Cow's Milk | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Smooth; Semi-hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Natural | Gray-blue |
| Aging | 4 months to 3 years | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Comté Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Comté Cheese at 4 months to 3 years develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Comté Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Comté 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 smooth; semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Comté 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 smooth; semi-hard cheese, go with Comté Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Comté Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Comté Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Comté Cheese is typically aged 4 months to 3 years, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Comté Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Comté Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Comté 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 Comté Cheese made of?
Comté Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to 3 years. It originates in France.
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, Comté Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Comté Cheese is smooth; semi-hard, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.