Brie de Meaux Cheese vs Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese

Brie de Meaux Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is firm, crumbly and made from cow 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 Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Yorkshire Wensleydale is a cow's milk cheese made in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, and only cheese made there may use the name. It is known for a supple, crumbly body, a faint honey aroma, and its fame as Wallace's favourite cheese.

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

• Milk treatment: Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Raw or pasteurized)
• Texture: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Soft), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Firm, Crumbly)
• Rind: Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Cloth-bound or none)
• Aging: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Minimum of 4 weeks), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (2 weeks to 12 months)
• Taste: Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts), Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese (Slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Meaux Cheese Taste Like Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese brings slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged character. On the nose, Brie de Meaux Cheese offers buttery, sweet, contrasted with Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese's lactic, slightly acidic; develops stronger notes when aged. More specifically, Brie de Meaux Cheese shows delicate aromas of cream, butter, and hazelnuts, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese leans toward sweet, creamy, lactic, with a distinctive pleasant aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Meaux Cheese at minimum of 4 weeks develops a different profile than Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese at 2 weeks to 12 months.

Can You Substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Meaux Cheese and Yorkshire Wensleydale 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 firm, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese brings slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Yorkshire Wensleydale 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 firm, crumbly profile, Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Meaux Cheese suits recipes that want cream, butter, hazelnuts notes, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese the same as Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brie de Meaux Cheese is typically aged minimum of 4 weeks, Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese 2 weeks to 12 months.

Is Brie de Meaux Cheese similar to Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Meaux Cheese for Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Meaux Cheese taste like Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

Brie de Meaux Cheese reads as cream, butter, hazelnuts, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is slightly acidic, mellow, and honeyed; stronger and more complex when aged. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Meaux Cheese leans buttery, sweet, and Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is closer to lactic, slightly acidic; develops stronger notes when aged.

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 Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese made of?

Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 weeks to 12 months.

Which should I choose, Brie de Meaux Cheese or Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft, while Yorkshire Wensleydale Cheese is firm, crumbly.