Roquefort Cheese vs Tomme de Savoie Cheese

Roquefort Cheese is a moist, very creamy sheep-milk cheese from France, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

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 Roquefort Cheese and Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

• Milk type: Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (skimmed or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
• Rind: Roquefort Cheese (none), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (several months)
• Taste: Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong), Tomme de Savoie Cheese (grassy, nutty, tangy)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Roquefort Cheese Taste Like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy character. More specifically, Roquefort Cheese shows buttercream smooth to salty and sharp, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese leans toward mild. Aging plays into this as well. Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months develops a different profile than Tomme de Savoie Cheese at several months.

Can You Substitute Roquefort Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese can stand in for Tomme de Savoie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect moist, very creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong while Tomme de Savoie Cheese brings grassy, nutty, tangy notes.

Which Is Better, Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy cheese, go with Roquefort Cheese. For a semi-soft, artisan profile, Tomme de Savoie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Roquefort Cheese suits recipes that want mild to strong notes, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese fits dishes calling for grassy, nutty, tangy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roquefort Cheese the same as Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk; Tomme de Savoie Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Roquefort Cheese is typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months, Tomme de Savoie Cheese several months.

Is Roquefort Cheese similar to Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Roquefort Cheese for Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

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

Does Roquefort Cheese taste like Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

Roquefort Cheese reads as mild to strong, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is grassy, nutty, tangy.

What is Roquefort Cheese made of?

Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 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, Roquefort Cheese or Tomme de Savoie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy, while Tomme de Savoie Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.