Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens 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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.
What's the Difference Between Brie de Meaux Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
- Milk type: Brie de Meaux Cheese (cow's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
- Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Heat-treated or raw)
- Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
- Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
- Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
- Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Meaux Cheese | Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Meaux | French Side Of The Pyrenees |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk) |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Heat-treated or raw |
| Texture | Soft | Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens |
| Rind | White mold | Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses |
| Aging | Minimum of 4 weeks | Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type |
| Taste | Cream, butter, hazelnuts | Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese's fresh whey to more pronounced aromas. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées 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 soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées 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 soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Meaux Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is closer to fresh whey to more pronounced aromas.
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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?
Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.
Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.