Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Farmer's Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Farmer's Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Farmer's Cheese?
Farmer's cheese is pressed curds, an unripened cheese made by adding rennet and a bacterial starter to milk. It comes from cow, sheep or goat milk, and the style ranges from pressed cottage cheese to a firm wheel close to Monterey Jack.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Farmer's Cheese?
- Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Farmer's Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Farmer's Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Farmer's Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Farmer's Cheese (unripened)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Farmer's Cheese (creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Farmer's Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft | Soft |
| Rind | White mold | Natural |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | Unripened |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Farmer's Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Farmer's Cheese brings creamy character. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Farmer's Cheese at unripened.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Farmer's Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Farmer's 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. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Farmer's Cheese brings creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Farmer's 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 profile, Farmer's Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Farmer's Cheese fits dishes calling for creamy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Farmer's Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Farmer's Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Farmer's Cheese unripened.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Farmer's Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Farmer's Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Farmer's Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Farmer's Cheese is creamy.
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 Farmer's Cheese made of?
Farmer's Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged unripened.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Farmer's Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Farmer's Cheese is soft.