Blue Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.
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 Blue Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Tomme de Savoie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Savoy, French Alps, France |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Skimmed or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | Several months |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Grassy, nutty, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue 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 crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. 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, Blue Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.