Stilton Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Stilton Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Stilton Cheese is a hard, blue-veined cow-milk cheese from England, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in France and Switzerland.
What Is Stilton Cheese?
Stilton is an English cheese made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, in a blue version and a white one. The blue kind gets its veins from Penicillium roqueforti. Both hold PDO status, so no cheese made elsewhere can use the name.
What Is Tomme Cheese?
Tomme is a class of cheese made mainly in the French Alps and in Switzerland from cow's, ewe's or goat's milk. Most are made from skimmed milk left over from butter making, so they are generally low in fat, and each variety is named for where it comes from.
What's the Difference Between Stilton Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Stilton Cheese (England), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk type: Stilton Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Stilton Cheese (pasteurized), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Stilton Cheese (hard, blue-veined), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Stilton Cheese (natural), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
- Taste: Stilton Cheese (spicy, strong), Tomme Cheese (Varied)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Stilton Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard, blue-veined | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Natural | Grayish natural |
| Aging | 9 to 12 weeks | — |
| Taste | Spicy, strong | Varied |
Taste Comparison: Does Stilton Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Stilton Cheese reads as spicy, strong, while Tomme Cheese brings varied character.
Can You Substitute Stilton Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
Stilton Cheese can stand in for Tomme Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard, blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable. Flavor-wise, Stilton Cheese reads as spicy, strong while Tomme Cheese brings varied notes.
Which Is Better, Stilton Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard, blue-veined cheese, go with Stilton Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Stilton Cheese suits recipes that want spicy, strong notes, while Tomme Cheese fits dishes calling for varied.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stilton Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Stilton Cheese originates in England, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland. Stilton Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.
Is Stilton Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Stilton Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Stilton Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
Stilton Cheese reads as spicy, strong, while Tomme Cheese is varied.
What is Stilton Cheese made of?
Stilton Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 9 to 12 weeks. It originates in England.
What is Tomme Cheese made of?
Tomme Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in France and Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Stilton Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Stilton Cheese is hard, blue-veined, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.