Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Leicester Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Leicester Cheese is firm, dry, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is a crumbly cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, England, close to Cheddar and coloured orange with annatto. Young wheels taste very mild and slightly sweet; after about six months the cheese picks up a tang.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Leicester Cheese (firm, dry, crumbly)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Leicester Cheese (reddish-orange with a powdery mould)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Leicester Cheese (6 to 12 months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Leicester Cheese (slightly sweet, mellow, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Leicester Cheese brings slightly sweet, mellow, nutty character. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Leicester Cheese leans toward very mild when young, tangier after six months. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Leicester Cheese at 6 to 12 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Leicester 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 firm, dry, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Leicester Cheese brings slightly sweet, mellow, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Leicester 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 firm, dry, crumbly profile, Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly sweet, mellow, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Leicester Cheese 6 to 12 months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Leicester Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Leicester Cheese is slightly sweet, mellow, nutty.

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 Leicester Cheese made of?

Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 6 to 12 months. It originates in United Kingdom.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Leicester Cheese is firm, dry, crumbly.