Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.
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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Hard, dry and grainy |
| Rind | White mold | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | — |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Sharp, salty and savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.
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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?
Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.