Earth Tomme (revisited)

It probably goes without saying but "Earth Tomme" is a mild and earthy Tomme-style cheese that's handcrafted by Adin Klipfer at Milky Way Meadows of Townville, Pennsylvania.

As a style, however, Tommes were first developed in the French Alps and are often titled with respect to their region of origin, i.e. the ever-popular Tomme de Savoie of France or the Italian Toma di Gressoney.

Perhaps "Earth Tomme" would be more appropriately titled if it went by "Tomme de Townville" or "Tomme of the Allegheny Plateau." Then again, such a title wouldn't reflect the cheesemaker's mission to embrace and acknowledge the greater power that created each planet found within the Milky Way Galaxy.

Regardless, region of origin is important to consider when exploring any cheeses flavor profile. The soil impacts the grasses and other flora which are consumed by the cows and are reflected in the milk that they produce. With this in mind, Adin prides himself in maintaining a 100% grassfed herd.

Of note, Tommes are made of skim or partially skimmed milk, making them lower in butterfat than most cheeses - but that doesn't stop "Earth Tomme" from developing one of my favorite features of well aged cheeses: the crystals! "Crystals?!" Yes. For more info on these delicious little bits and their relationship with lactic acid, visit my previous post about "Meadowbelle" - the goat's milk Tomme from River View Dairy in Emlenton, Pennsylvania.