Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Domiati Cheese

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

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 Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Domiati Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Domiati Cheese (None)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Domiati Cheese (Salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Domiati Cheese brings salty character. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Domiati Cheese leans toward salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Domiati Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Domiati Cheese brings salty notes.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Domiati Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Domiati Cheese comes from Egypt. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Domiati Cheese uses cow, goat, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Domiati Cheese fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Domiati Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Domiati Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Domiati Cheese is salty.

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 Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

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

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