Brie de Meaux Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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 L'Etivaz Cheese?

L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), L'Etivaz Cheese (Hard)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and L'Etivaz 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and L'Etivaz Cheese is closer to smokey.

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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?

L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.