Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | White mold | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Soft 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, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Soft 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, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Soft Cheese is 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 Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.