Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Kashkaval Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Kashkaval Cheese is medium-hard to hard, elastic and made from cow or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

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 Kashkaval Cheese?

Kashkaval is a yellow cheese from the Balkans made with cow, sheep or goat milk, or a mixture of them. It melts and fries well, so it shows up on pizza, inside breakfast pastries and as a filling in Levantine baking.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Kashkaval Cheese (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey)
• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Kashkaval Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Kashkaval Cheese (Varied)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Kashkaval Cheese (Medium-hard to hard, elastic)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Kashkaval Cheese (Varied)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Kashkaval Cheese (Minimum of two months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Kashkaval Cheese (Piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Kashkaval Cheese brings piquant character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Kashkaval Cheese's varied. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Kashkaval Cheese leans toward mildly salty and acidic, melts well, piquant flavor enhanced in 100% sheep’s milk cheeses.. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Kashkaval Cheese at minimum of two months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Kashkaval 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 medium-hard to hard, elastic. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Kashkaval Cheese brings piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Kashkaval 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 medium-hard to hard, elastic profile, Kashkaval Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Kashkaval Cheese fits dishes calling for piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Kashkaval Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Kashkaval Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Kashkaval Cheese uses cow or sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Kashkaval Cheese minimum of two months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Kashkaval Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Kashkaval Cheese is piquant. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Kashkaval Cheese is closer to varied.

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 Kashkaval Cheese made of?

Kashkaval Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk (varied), using varied rennet. It's typically aged minimum of two months. It originates in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Kashkaval Cheese is medium-hard to hard, elastic.