Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is a soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
What Is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What Is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk type: Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk)), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
- Texture: Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | French Side Of The Pyrenees | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Heat-treated or raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens | Firm |
| Rind | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese reads as varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese shows not excessively bitter, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese reads as varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens cheese, go with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese. For a firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese suits recipes that want varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese reads as varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
What is Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
What is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.