Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Ossau-Iraty Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's milk cheese from the Northern Basque Country and Béarn in south-western France. Uncooked and pressed, it is smooth, creamy and firm, and has held appellation d'origine contrôlée status since 1980.

What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Natural, smooth, orange to gray)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Minimum 80-120 days)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (fruity, herbaceous, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese brings fruity, herbaceous, nutty character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Ossau-Iraty Cheese's rich. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Ossau-Iraty Cheese at minimum 80-120 days.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Ossau-Iraty 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 homogeneous, uncooked, pressed. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Ossau-Iraty Cheese brings fruity, herbaceous, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Ossau-Iraty 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 homogeneous, uncooked, pressed profile, Ossau-Iraty Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, herbaceous, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Ossau-Iraty Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Ossau-Iraty Cheese minimum 80-120 days.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is fruity, herbaceous, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Ossau-Iraty Cheese is closer to rich.

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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese made of?

Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum 80-120 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed.