Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) and made from sheep milk, originating in Portugal.

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 Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.

What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?

• Origin: Brie de Meaux Cheese (France), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
• Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Raw)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho))
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho")
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Queijo Serra da Estrela's pungent. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Queijo Serra da Estrela leans toward slightly acidic, strong to slightly strong, slightly spicy/salty. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho). Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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 closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) profile, Queijo Serra da Estrela is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Queijo Serra da Estrela fits dishes calling for smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese originates in France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Queijo Serra da Estrela minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho). Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Queijo Serra da Estrela is closer to pungent.

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 Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?

Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).