Kamil Perry
Toma is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a creamy, nutty, and slightly tangy flavour. It is known for its smooth, buttery texture and yellow rind. Toma's taste is often compared to other popular cheeses like Gruyere or Cheddar, but it has its own unique characteristics. The flavour of Toma cheese intensifies as it ages, developing a slightly sharper and more complex taste. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, melted over eggs or avocado toast, or even shaved over roasted peaches with a drizzle of honey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Semi-soft to semi-hard |
| Rind | Smooth, pale to yellow in colour, brushed or washed |
| Taste | Creamy, nutty, earthy, tangy, slightly sweet, mild, complex, sophisticated, subtle, rich, indulgent |
| Fat content | 45%–52% |
| Calories | 110 per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving |
| Protein | 7 grams per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving |
| Fat | 9 grams per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving |
| Carbohydrates | 1 gram per 1-ounce (28-gram) serving |
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What You'll Learn
Toma cheese is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese
The process of making Toma cheese involves pasteurising fresh whole milk, separating the curds from the whey, and then pressing them into the characteristic wheel shape. The cheese is then aged for at least a month to develop its distinct taste and texture. The ageing process allows the flavours to intensify, resulting in a rich and complex cheese. The rind is often brushed or washed during ageing, contributing to its earthy aroma and adding depth to its flavour profile.
Toma cheese has a semi-soft to semi-hard texture, depending on the variety and ageing process. Its flavour is described as a delightful combination of creamy, nutty, and slightly tangy notes. The nutty undertones add depth to the overall taste, and as the cheese ages, it develops a slightly sharper and more complex flavour. Many compare the flavour of Toma to other popular cheeses like Gruyere or Cheddar, but Toma has its own unique characteristics that make it a favourite among cheese connoisseurs.
The versatility of Toma cheese extends to its use in recipes. It can be melted into dishes like risotto and pasta sauces or baked with potatoes and quiches. It is also an excellent melting cheese, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, mac-n-cheese, or shaved over roasted peaches with a drizzle of honey. When it comes to wine pairings, aged Toma goes well with red wines like Dolcetto, Carema, and Barolo, while younger cheeses are better complemented by light white wines.
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It has a creamy, nutty, slightly tangy flavour
Toma cheese is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a creamy, nutty, slightly tangy flavour. It is known for its smooth, buttery texture and yellow rind. The cheese is aged for at least a month to develop its distinct taste and texture, with the flavours intensifying and becoming slightly sharper and more complex as it matures. The nutty undertones add depth to the overall taste experience, while the tanginess provides a refreshing kick.
Toma cheese is a versatile variety, perfect for snacking, cooking, or melting into dishes. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as grilled, with fruits, or as part of a cheese platter. The cheese's smooth and buttery texture melts in the mouth, releasing a burst of comforting and indulgent flavours.
The process of making Toma cheese involves pasteurising fresh whole milk, brining the wheels, and ageing them for around 90 days. This ageing process is crucial to developing the cheese's unique characteristics, with the flavours deepening and intensifying over time. The rind is often brushed or washed during ageing, contributing to its earthy aroma and enhancing the overall taste profile.
Toma cheese is produced in the Aosta Valley and Piedmont regions of Italy, with the Toma Piemontese variety from Piedmont holding a protected designation of origin (PDO) status under EU legislation. It is one of the oldest Italian cheese varieties, dating back to the Roman Empire. The name "Toma" translates to "wheel of cheese made by the farmer" in Italian, reflecting its roots as a traditional "village cheese".
The flavour of Toma cheese is often compared to other popular cheeses like Gruyere or Cheddar, but it possesses unique characteristics that set it apart. Its creamy, nutty, and slightly tangy notes create a delightful combination that makes it a favourite among cheese connoisseurs. The cheese is also a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins A and B12, making it a nutritious and tasty addition to any meal.
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Its rind is brushed or washed during the ageing process
Toma cheese is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a creamy, nutty flavour and a smooth yellow rind. The rind is brushed or washed during the ageing process, which typically lasts for at least a month. This contributes to the earthy aroma and depth of flavour that develops as the cheese matures. The ageing process also intensifies the cheese's flavour, making it slightly sharper and more complex.
The process of brushing or washing the rind is an important step in the maturation of Toma cheese. This step helps to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria and moulds, which contribute to the cheese's characteristic flavour and texture. The specific techniques used to brush or wash the rind can vary, but the overall goal is to create an environment that promotes the desired microbial activity.
During the ageing process, the cheese wheels are typically kept in temperature- and humidity-controlled environments, such as caves or ageing rooms. These conditions further influence the development of flavour and texture in the cheese. The specific conditions used can vary depending on the desired characteristics of the final product.
The rind of Toma cheese is not just important for its contribution to flavour and aroma but also for its protective properties. The rind helps to prevent the cheese from drying out and protects it from unwanted bacteria and moulds that could spoil the cheese. It also acts as a barrier, regulating the rate at which the cheese matures by controlling the exchange of gases and moisture between the cheese and its environment.
The process of brushing or washing the rind of Toma cheese is a traditional technique that has been used for generations. It is an essential step in the ageing process, contributing to the unique characteristics that have made Toma cheese a favourite among cheese lovers and aficionados. The final product is a cheese with a rich and complex flavour profile, ranging from creamy and nutty to slightly tangy, with a smooth and buttery texture that melts in the mouth.
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It is a good source of calcium, protein, vitamin A and vitamin B12
Toma cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, while protein is necessary for muscle growth and repair. This makes Toma a nutritious option for those who enjoy its flavour profile.
Toma is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a creamy, nutty flavour and a smooth, yellow rind. The cheese is known for its unique melting qualities, making it a versatile option for cooking. Its flavour is often described as a delightful combination of creamy, nutty, and slightly tangy notes, with a smooth and buttery texture that melts in the mouth. The nutty undertones add depth to the overall taste, while the tanginess provides a refreshing kick.
As Toma ages, its flavour intensifies, developing a slightly sharper and more complex taste. The aging process allows the flavours to deepen, resulting in a rich and nuanced cheese. The rind is brushed or washed during aging, contributing to its earthy aroma and enhancing its overall taste profile. The longer aging period also increases the cheese's vitamin content, making it an even better source of vitamins A and B12.
While Toma is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, it is also relatively high in fat and sodium. Therefore, it should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The exact calorie and nutrient content can vary depending on the brand and aging process, but on average, a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving provides approximately 110 calories, 7 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, and 1 gram of carbohydrates.
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It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed grilled, with fruits, or in cooking
Toma cheese is a versatile variety that can be enjoyed grilled, with fruits, or in cooking. It is a semi-soft Italian cow's milk cheese with a creamy, nutty flavour and a smooth, yellow rind. The cheese is known for its excellent melting qualities, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, eggs, avocado toast, mac-n-cheese, and more.
When it comes to grilling, the high fat content of Toma cheese, ranging from 45% to 52%, ensures that it melts smoothly and evenly. This makes it a delicious topping for sandwiches, burgers, or even grilled vegetables. The nutty and slightly tangy notes of the cheese also complement the charred flavours that grilling imparts.
For those who enjoy a sweet and savoury combination, Toma cheese pairs beautifully with fruits. Its creamy texture and nutty undertones create a delightful contrast when paired with fresh or roasted peaches, drizzled with honey. The cheese's tanginess adds a refreshing kick to the sweetness of the fruit, making it a refreshing and indulgent treat.
In cooking, Toma cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into a variety of dishes. Its melting qualities make it ideal for adding creaminess and flavour to pastas, risottos, and sauces. The cheese's unique taste, which has been compared to Gruyere or Cheddar, can enhance the flavour profile of soups, fondues, and baked dishes. The whole-fat variety of Toma is particularly well-suited for cooking, adding a rich and buttery dimension to recipes.
Additionally, Toma cheese can be enjoyed as part of a cheese platter, offering a well-rounded and enjoyable experience for cheese lovers. Its semi-soft texture and complex, sophisticated taste make it a delightful snack on its own or paired with crackers, bread, jam, or nuts. The cheese's versatility extends to wine pairings as well, with aged Toma complementing red wines like Dolcetto, Carema, and Barolo, while younger versions pair nicely with light white wines.
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Frequently asked questions
Toma cheese has a creamy, nutty, and slightly tangy flavour. As it ages, the flavours intensify, and it develops a slightly sharper and more complex taste.
Younger versions of Toma cheese have a slightly sweet and mild flavour, while the taste of aged Toma cheese is full and nutty.
Toma cheese is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed grilled, with fruits, or in cooking. It is known for its excellent melting qualities and can be used to elevate dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches, eggs, avocado toast, mac-n-cheese, and more.
