Blue Cheese vs Brie de Melun Cheese

Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Brie de Melun Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.

What Is Brie de Melun Cheese?

Brie de Melun is a soft unpasteurised cow's milk cheese from the Brie region of France, one of only two bries the French government certifies. It is smaller than Brie de Meaux, with a stronger flavour and a more pungent smell, and has held AOC status since 1980.

What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Brie de Melun Cheese?

• Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Brie de Melun Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Brie de Melun Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Brie de Melun Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Brie de Melun Cheese (Bloomy)
• Aging: Blue Cheese (Typically aged 2-6 months), Brie de Melun Cheese (at least four or five weeks)
• Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Brie de Melun Cheese (salty, sharp, sour, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Brie de Melun Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brie de Melun Cheese brings salty, sharp, sour, strong character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Brie de Melun Cheese's grassy, musty. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Brie de Melun Cheese leans toward creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic. Aging plays into this as well. Blue Cheese at typically aged 2-6 months develops a different profile than Brie de Melun Cheese at at least four or five weeks.

Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Brie de Melun Cheese?

Blue Cheese can stand in for Brie de Melun 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 Melun Cheese brings salty, sharp, sour, strong notes.

Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Brie de Melun 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 Melun Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Brie de Melun Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, sour, strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Cheese the same as Brie de Melun Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Brie de Melun Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Blue Cheese is typically aged typically aged 2-6 months, Brie de Melun Cheese at least four or five weeks.

Is Blue Cheese similar to Brie de Melun Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Brie de Melun Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Blue Cheese taste like Brie de Melun Cheese?

Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brie de Melun Cheese is salty, sharp, sour, strong. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Brie de Melun Cheese is closer to grassy, musty.

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 Melun Cheese made of?

Brie de Melun Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least four or five weeks. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Brie de Melun Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Brie de Melun Cheese is soft.