Tome fraîche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tome fraîche |
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| Country of origin | France |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurised | no |
| Texture | Hard |
Tome fraîche (pronounced 'tom fresh') is a special kind of cheese from France. It is also sometimes called Tomme fraîche. This cheese is made from cow's milk. It comes from the beautiful mountains of Aubrac and Cantal in a region called Auvergne, which is part of the Massif Central mountains. This cheese is not aged or salted much, making it fresh and mild.
What is Tome fraîche?
Tome fraîche is a unique cheese because of its texture and taste. It's a 'curd' cheese, which means it's made from the solid parts of milk after it has been curdled. It is pressed to make it firm, but it is still soft enough to melt easily. It has a milky taste with a little bit of sourness, which makes it very tasty in cooked dishes.
History of the Name
The name 'Tome' comes from an old French word, toma. This word simply means 'fresh cheese'. A long time ago, people spelled it 'tome'. Later, some people started spelling it 'tomme'. But no matter how you spell it, it is the same yummy cheese!
Cooking with Tome fraîche
Tome fraîche is famous for how well it melts. It is often cooked in a fondue style, which is a warm, melted cheese dish.
It is a key ingredient in some traditional French dishes:
- Aligot: This is a super stretchy mix of mashed potatoes, garlic, and Tome fraîche. It is very popular in the Auvergne region.
- Truffade: This dish uses sliced potatoes cooked with bacon and then mixed with melted Tome fraîche.
- Patranque: This is another hearty dish, often made with bread soaked in milk and mixed with the cheese.
Because it melts so well and tastes so good, Tome fraîche is also used in many other dishes. You can find it in gratins (baked dishes with a crispy top), vegetable pies, and even on pizzas! Its mild, milky flavor makes it a great addition to many recipes.
