Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Limburger Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Limburger Cheese is firm to spreadable and made from cow milk, originating in Belgium.

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 Limburger Cheese?

Limburger is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from the Herve area of the old Duchy of Limburg, now part of Belgium. It is known for the powerful smell it develops after about three months of ripening.

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

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Limburger Cheese (Belgium)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Limburger Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Limburger Cheese (Firm to spreadable)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Limburger Cheese (Sticky, orange-brown)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Limburger Cheese (3 months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Limburger Cheese (Meaty, farmyard)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Limburger Cheese brings meaty, farmyard character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Limburger Cheese's pungent, body odor-like. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Limburger Cheese leans toward created in the 1800s by belgian trappist monks and renowned for its pungent odor, limburger cheese evolves from firm and crumbly to exceptionally creamy and stinky over three months. the odor, akin to smelly feet, is due to brevibacterium linens used in the brine wash. now predominantly produced in germany, with a significant historical presence in the american midwest, particularly wisconsin. traditionally served with dark bread, brown mustard, onion slices, and beer. despite its notoriety for its distinctive smell, limburger remains a famous washed-rind cheese, enjoyed in sandwiches or with boiled potatoes and butter.. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Limburger Cheese at 3 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Limburger Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Limburger 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 to spreadable. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Limburger Cheese brings meaty, farmyard notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Limburger 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 to spreadable profile, Limburger Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Limburger Cheese fits dishes calling for meaty, farmyard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Limburger Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Limburger Cheese comes from Belgium. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Limburger Cheese 3 months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Limburger Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Limburger Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Limburger Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Limburger Cheese is meaty, farmyard. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Limburger Cheese is closer to pungent, body odor-like.

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 Limburger Cheese made of?

Limburger Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Belgium.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Limburger Cheese is firm to spreadable.