Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese

Q: Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No. Brie de Meaux Cheese and Cheddar Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and England respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Brie de Meaux Cheese for Cheddar Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Brie de Meaux Cheese

Cheddar Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.

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 Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

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

Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Cheddar Cheese (England)
Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic))
Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Brie de Meaux Cheese	Cheddar Cheese
Country of Origin	France	England
Specific Origin	Meaux	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized
Texture	Soft	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)
Rind	White mold	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)
Aging	Minimum of 4 weeks	A few months to several years
Taste	Cream, butter, hazelnuts	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Cheddar Cheese leans toward from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Cheddar 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 varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Cheddar Cheese a few months to several years.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

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 Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).