Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Pérail Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese
Pérail Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Pérail Cheese is soft 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 Pérail Cheese?
Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Pérail Cheese?
- Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Pérail Cheese (sheep)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Pérail Cheese (soft)
- Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Pérail Cheese (wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum)
- Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Pérail Cheese (2 to 8 weeks)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Pérail Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | Aveyron, France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft | Soft |
| Rind | White mold | Wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Distinctly sheepy in older cheeses |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Pérail Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses character. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Pérail Cheese at 2 to 8 weeks.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Pérail Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Pérail 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Pérail 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 soft profile, Pérail Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Pérail Cheese fits dishes calling for distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Pérail Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Pérail Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Pérail Cheese 2 to 8 weeks.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Pérail Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Pérail Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Pérail Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Pérail Cheese is distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.
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 Pérail Cheese made of?
Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Pérail Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Pérail Cheese is soft.