Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, crumbly)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Red Leicester 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, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Red Leicester 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, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly.