Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Chabichou du Poitou Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is soft, creamy to brittle and made from goat milk, originating in France.

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 Is Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Chabichou du Poitou is a goat cheese from the north of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France, shaped like a small cylinder called a bonde. It is aged 10 to 20 days and is the only soft-ripened goat cheese that PDO rules allow to be made with pasteurized milk.

What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (goat's milk)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (Soft, creamy to brittle)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (White with blue-gray patches)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (At least 10 days)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (Slightly salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese brings slightly salty character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Chabichou du Poitou Cheese's goaty. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese leans toward white rind, occasional blue-gray patches, embodies poitevin terroir's taste, creamy to strong flavor with aging. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Chabichou du Poitou Cheese at at least 10 days.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Chabichou du Poitou Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, creamy to brittle. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese brings slightly salty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Brie de Meaux Cheese. For a soft, creamy to brittle profile, Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Chabichou du Poitou Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Chabichou du Poitou Cheese at least 10 days.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is slightly salty. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is closer to goaty.

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.

What is Chabichou du Poitou Cheese made of?

Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized or whole). It's typically aged at least 10 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is soft, creamy to brittle.