Swaledale Cheese vs Tomme Cheese
Swaledale Cheese
Tomme Cheese
Swaledale Cheese is a moist, medium firm cow, goat, or sheep-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 Swaledale Cheese?
Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.
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 Swaledale Cheese and Tomme Cheese?
- Origin: Swaledale Cheese (England), Tomme Cheese (France and Switzerland)
- Milk treatment: Swaledale Cheese (raw), Tomme Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm), Tomme Cheese (Creamy, pliable)
- Rind: Swaledale Cheese (grey-blue mould or natural wax), Tomme Cheese (Grayish natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Swaledale Cheese | Tomme Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | France And Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Swaledale, North Yorkshire | France, Switzerland, United States |
| Milk Type | Cow, sheep, goat | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Moist, medium firm | Creamy, pliable |
| Rind | Grey-blue mould or natural wax | Grayish natural |
| Aging | 3 to 4 weeks | — |
| Taste | — | Varied |
Taste Comparison: Does Swaledale Cheese Taste Like Tomme Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Swaledale Cheese shows fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk, while Tomme Cheese leans toward no common profile; wide variety depending on milk and aging.
Can You Substitute Swaledale Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
In most recipes, Swaledale Cheese and Tomme Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect moist, medium firm bite and body where the recipe calls for creamy, pliable.
Which Is Better, Swaledale Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a moist, medium firm cheese, go with Swaledale Cheese. For a creamy, pliable profile, Tomme Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swaledale Cheese the same as Tomme Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Swaledale Cheese originates in England, while Tomme Cheese comes from France and Switzerland.
Is Swaledale Cheese similar to Tomme Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow, goat, or sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Swaledale Cheese for Tomme Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Swaledale Cheese taste like Tomme Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Swaledale Cheese made of?
Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 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, Swaledale Cheese or Tomme Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm, while Tomme Cheese is creamy, pliable.