Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Pimento Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, originating in United States.
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 Pimento Cheese?
Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Pimento Cheese?
- Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Pimento Cheese (United States)
- Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Pimento Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | United States |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | Northern United States, Now Associated With The Southern United States |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cheddar, farmers’ style |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft | Spreadable |
| Rind | White mold | — |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | — |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Sweet, rounded chili |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Pimento Cheese's sweet, rounded chili. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Pimento 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 spreadable. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Pimento 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 spreadable profile, Pimento Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Pimento Cheese comes from United States.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Pimento Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Pimento Cheese is closer to sweet, rounded chili.
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 Pimento Cheese made of?
Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Pimento Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable.