Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Cream Cheese

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

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 Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a soft, mild fresh cheese made from milk and cream, sold unripened rather than aged. It began in Chester, New York in the 1870s and is best known as the spread on a bagel.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Cream Cheese (United States)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Cream Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Cream Cheese (Fresh, processed)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Cream Cheese (rindless)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Cream Cheese (unripened, eaten fresh)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Cream Cheese (creamy, mild, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Cream Cheese brings creamy, mild, sweet character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Cream Cheese's fresh, pleasant. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Cream Cheese at unripened, eaten fresh.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Cream Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Cream 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 fresh, processed. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Cream Cheese brings creamy, mild, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Cream 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 fresh, processed profile, Cream Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Cream Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy, mild, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Cream Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Cream Cheese comes from United States. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Cream Cheese unripened, eaten fresh.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Cream Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Cream Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Cream Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Cream Cheese is creamy, mild, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Cream Cheese is closer to fresh, pleasant.

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 Cream Cheese made of?

Cream Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal (chymosin, pepsin, rennet) in canada rennet. It's typically aged unripened, eaten fresh. It originates in United States.

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

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