Brie Cheese vs Brie de Meaux Cheese

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

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 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 Brie Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold)
• Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks)
• Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Brie de Meaux Cheese's buttery, sweet. More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Brie de Meaux Cheese leans toward delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts. Aging plays into this as well. Brie Cheese at at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir develops a different profile than Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts notes.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Brie de Meaux Cheese fits dishes calling for cream, butter, hazelnuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Brie de Meaux Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Brie de Meaux Cheese minimum of 4 weeks.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.

Does Brie Cheese taste like Brie de Meaux Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is cream, butter, hazelnuts. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Brie de Meaux Cheese is closer to buttery, sweet.

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.

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, Brie Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.