Blue Cheese vs Brie de Meaux Cheese
Blue Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What Is Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Brie de Meaux is a variety of Brie that is considered one of the finest cheeses in the world, holding AOC designation. It features a more complex flavor profile than regular Brie, including a rich, creamy interior with flavors of mushrooms, almonds, and truffles. Its rind is bloomy and edible, contributing a rustic, earthy note to its taste.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold)
- Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Brie de Meaux Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Meaux |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | White mold |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | Minimum of 4 weeks |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Cream, butter, hazelnuts |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Brie de Meaux Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | — |
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese
Blue Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Brie de Meaux Cheese's buttery, sweet. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Brie de Meaux Cheese leans toward delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Brie de Meaux Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a soft profile, Brie de Meaux Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Brie de Meaux Cheese fits dishes calling for cream, butter, hazelnuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Brie de Meaux Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Brie de Meaux Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Brie de Meaux Cheese minimum of 4 weeks.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is cream, butter, hazelnuts. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Brie de Meaux Cheese is closer to buttery, sweet.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
What is Brie de Meaux Cheese made of?
Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using bovi rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 4 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese.