Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy 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 Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

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

• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

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

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 Roquefort Cheese made of?

Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.