Tomme au chniu

1. History

Tomme au Chniu is a traditional Savoyard cheese made at the Thônes cooperative. It is part of the long tradition of Savoyard tommes, whose origins date back to the 16th century in the Alps. This cheese represents the evolution of alpine cheesemaking techniques, using local ingredients characteristic of the region.

2. Physical characteristics

Tomme au Chniu is a cooked pressed cheese made from raw cow's milk. It is presented in wheels of approximately 1.6 kg. Its natural rind and firm paste characterize it, with a texture typical of pressed alpine cheeses.

3. Taste profile

This cheese is distinguished by its flavoring with chniu, a fennel seed in Savoyard dialect. Fennel grows abundantly in the Aravis massif and gives the cheese a distinctive and slightly aniseed flavor. This aromatic particularity makes it a unique cheese among Savoyard tommes.

4. Production zone and period

Tomme au Chniu is produced in Savoie, specifically at the Thônes cooperative. It benefits from the alpine environment of the region, where fennel grows naturally. The average shelf life of the product is approximately 35 days.

5. Certification

Although made according to Savoyard traditions, Tomme au Chniu is not mentioned as benefiting from a specific protected designation of origin. It remains a farmhouse and artisanal cheese from the Savoie region.