Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Fontina Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Fontina Cheese?

Fontina is a cow's milk cheese from Italy's Aosta Valley, made there since the 12th century. It runs semisoft to hard, tastes creamy and nutty with earthy, mushroomy notes, and melts well enough to carry a fondue.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions))
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Fontina Cheese (Semi-soft)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Fontina Cheese (Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor))
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Fontina Cheese's mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions). More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Fontina Cheese leans toward buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Fontina Cheese at typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Fontina 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 semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Fontina 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 semi-soft profile, Fontina Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Fontina Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Fontina Cheese typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor).

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Fontina Cheese is closer to mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions).

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 Fontina Cheese made of?

Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). It originates in Italy.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft.