Bartlett Cheese vs Brie Cheese
Bartlett Cheese is a soft, artisan sheep-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Brie Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Bartlett Cheese?
Bartlett is a soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk in Somerset, England. It has a mold-ripened rind, which contributes to its aromatic and strong scent. The cheese is white in color and features a buttery and milky flavor profile. Its soft texture makes it an inviting choice for cheese boards or spreading on bread. Bartlett is appreciated for its rich taste and aromatic presence, offering a true taste of traditional English cheese-making.
What Is Brie Cheese?
Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese named after the French region it comes from, pale under a white mould rind. It runs 60 to 75 percent butterfat and tastes creamy, nutty and mushroom-like, with a faint acidity. The rind is eaten along with the paste.
What's the Difference Between Bartlett Cheese and Brie Cheese?
- Origin: Bartlett Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Brie Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Bartlett Cheese (sheep's milk), Brie Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Bartlett Cheese (unpasteurized), Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized)
- Texture: Bartlett Cheese (soft, artisan), Brie Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Bartlett Cheese (mold ripened), Brie Cheese (Bloomy)
- Taste: Bartlett Cheese (buttery, milky), Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Bartlett Cheese | Brie Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom | France |
| Specific Origin | Somerset | Brie |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw, Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Soft |
| Rind | Mold ripened | Bloomy |
| Aging | — | At least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir |
| Taste | Buttery, milky | Nutty, Mushroom |
Taste Comparison: Does Bartlett Cheese Taste Like Brie Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Brie Cheese brings nutty, mushroom character. On the nose, Bartlett Cheese offers aromatic, strong, contrasted with Brie Cheese's ammoniated when overripe.
Can You Substitute Bartlett Cheese for Brie Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese can stand in for Brie Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky while Brie Cheese brings nutty, mushroom notes.
Which Is Better, Bartlett Cheese or Brie Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Bartlett Cheese. For a soft profile, Brie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bartlett Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, milky notes, while Brie Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, mushroom.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bartlett Cheese the same as Brie Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Bartlett Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Brie Cheese comes from France. Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk; Brie Cheese uses cow.
Is Bartlett Cheese similar to Brie Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Bartlett Cheese for Brie Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Bartlett Cheese taste like Brie Cheese?
Bartlett Cheese reads as buttery, milky, while Brie Cheese is nutty, mushroom. Aromas also diverge. Bartlett Cheese leans aromatic, strong, and Brie Cheese is closer to ammoniated when overripe.
What is Bartlett Cheese made of?
Bartlett Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
What is Brie Cheese made of?
Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Bartlett Cheese or Brie Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bartlett Cheese is soft, artisan, while Brie Cheese is soft.