Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow or goat 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 Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Formaggio d'alpe ticinese is a semi-hard raw milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Ticino, Switzerland, during the summer grazing months. It is known for its brown-grey rind and, in some valleys, a share of goat milk blended into the cow milk.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
- Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (cow, sometimes with up to 30% goat)
- Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (semi-hard)
- Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (natural, washed in brine)
- Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (60 days to about 1 year)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (mild when young, spicier with age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | Ticino, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, sometimes with up to 30% goat |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Semi-hard |
| Rind | White mold | Natural, washed in brine |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | 60 days to about 1 year |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Mild when young, spicier with age |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese brings mild when young, spicier with age character. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese leans toward varies by alp according to the local pasture flora. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese at 60 days to about 1 year.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese 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 semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese brings mild when young, spicier with age notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Formaggio d'alpe ticinese 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-hard profile, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese fits dishes calling for mild when young, spicier with age.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese uses cow or goat. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese 60 days to about 1 year.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is mild when young, spicier with age.
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 Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese made of?
Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is made from cow or goat milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 60 days to about 1 year.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is semi-hard.