Boursin Cheese vs Brie de Meaux Cheese

Boursin Cheese is a soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Boursin Cheese?

Boursin is a French brand of soft, fresh Gournay-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and cream with herbs mixed in. It spreads easily, crumbles a little, and is best known for its original garlic and fine herbs flavour.

What Is Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Brie de Meaux is a soft cheese made from raw cow's milk in the Brie region of France, an AOC product since 1980. Wheels run 36 to 37 cm (14 to 14+1/2 in) across, with a delicate white rind and a straw-yellow, creamy interior.

What's the Difference Between Boursin Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Boursin Cheese (Pasteurized), Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Boursin Cheese (Soft, creamy), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Boursin Cheese (None), Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold)
• Aging: Boursin Cheese (Fresh (not aged)), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks)
• Taste: Boursin Cheese (Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Boursin Cheese Taste Like Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts character. On the nose, Boursin Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Brie de Meaux Cheese's buttery, sweet. More specifically, Boursin Cheese shows fresh, with added flavors like garlic, herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Brie de Meaux Cheese leans toward delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts. Aging plays into this as well. Boursin Cheese at fresh (not aged) develops a different profile than Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Boursin Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?

In most recipes, Boursin Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts notes.

Which Is Better, Boursin 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 soft, creamy cheese, go with Boursin Cheese. For a soft profile, Brie de Meaux Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese suits recipes that want garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive notes, while Brie de Meaux Cheese fits dishes calling for cream, butter, hazelnuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boursin Cheese the same as Brie de Meaux Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Boursin Cheese is typically aged fresh (not aged), Brie de Meaux Cheese minimum of 4 weeks.

Is Boursin Cheese similar to Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Boursin Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Boursin Cheese taste like Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is cream, butter, hazelnuts. Aromas also diverge. Boursin Cheese leans mild, and Brie de Meaux Cheese is closer to buttery, sweet.

What is Boursin Cheese made of?

Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (not aged). 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, Boursin Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boursin Cheese is soft, creamy, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft.