Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese vs Tête de Moine Cheese

Q: Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese the same as Tête de Moine Cheese?

No. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Tête de Moine Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Tête de Moine Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese taste like Tête de Moine Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese or Tête de Moine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese

Tête de Moine Cheese

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is a semi-soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Tête de Moine Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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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 Is Tête de Moine Cheese?

Tête de Moine AOP is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese from the Swiss Jura, first made by the canons of Bellelay abbey in the 12th century. It is not sliced but pared into thin rosettes with a Girolle.

What's the Difference Between Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese and Tête de Moine Cheese?

Origin: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France), Tête de Moine Cheese (Switzerland)
Milk type: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Goat's milk), Tête de Moine Cheese (Cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw), Tête de Moine Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Semi-soft), Tête de Moine Cheese (Semi-hard)
Rind: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue), Tête de Moine Cheese (firm, grainy natural crust)
Aging: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days), Tête de Moine Cheese (at least 2½ months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese	Tête de Moine Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Switzerland
Specific Origin	Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons	Bernese Jura And Canton Of Jura, Switzerland
Milk Type	Goat's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Unpasteurized
Texture	Semi-soft	Semi-hard
Rind	Gray-blue	Firm, grainy natural crust
Aging	Minimum of ten days	At least 2½ months
Taste	—	Nutty

Taste Comparison: Does Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese Taste Like Tête de Moine Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days develops a different profile than Tête de Moine Cheese at at least 2½ months.

Can You Substitute Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Tête de Moine Cheese?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese can stand in for Tête de Moine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard.

Which Is Better, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese or Tête de Moine Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Tête de Moine Cheese is the better fit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese the same as Tête de Moine Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese originates in France, while Tête de Moine Cheese comes from Switzerland. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk; Tête de Moine Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is typically aged minimum of ten days, Tête de Moine Cheese at least 2½ months.

Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese similar to Tête de Moine Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese for Tête de Moine Cheese?

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

Does Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese taste like Tête de Moine Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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.

What is Tête de Moine Cheese made of?

Tête de Moine Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 2½ months. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese or Tête de Moine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft, while Tête de Moine Cheese is semi-hard.