Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Pecorino Crotonese Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm and made from sheep 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 Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Pecorino Crotonese is an Italian sheep's milk cheese and one of the pecorino varieties registered with the EU as a protected designation of origin. Pecorino is the family name for Italy's sheep's milk cheeses, and every region makes its own.

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

• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Whole sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Raw, thermised, or pasteurised)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - soft, regular, creamy; Semi-hard - firm; Ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh - thin; Semi-hard - thick, light brown; Ripened - hard, brown, may be coated with olive oil or olive dregs)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened))
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Pecorino Crotonese Cheese (Distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); Intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); Intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Pecorino Crotonese Cheese's light scent of sheep's milk mixed with hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, and smoke. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese leans toward sheep's milk, hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, smoke. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Pecorino Crotonese Cheese at fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Crotonese 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 fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese brings distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened) notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese 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 fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm profile, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fits dishes calling for distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Pecorino Crotonese Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Pecorino Crotonese Cheese fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is distinct, smooth, slightly tangy (fresh); intense, well-balanced (semi-hard); intense, distinct, slight piquant aftertaste (ripened). Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is closer to light scent of sheep's milk mixed with hay, mature wild grasses, hazelnut, and smoke.

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 Pecorino Crotonese Cheese made of?

Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw, thermised, or pasteurised), using kid rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged fresh, semi-hard, ripened (more than six months for ripened).

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Pecorino Crotonese Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Pecorino Crotonese Cheese is fresh - soft, regular, creamy; semi-hard - firm; ripened - slightly straw-colored, firm.