Blue Cheese vs Brie de Melun Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Brie de Melun Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Blue Cheese?
A type of cheese injected or inoculated with Penicillium mold to create blue or green veins, resulting in a tangy, sharp flavor and creamy or crumbly texture.
What Is Brie de Melun Cheese?
Brie de Melun is a traditional French cheese made from unpasteurized cow's milk, originating from the region of Melun. It has a soft texture and a creamy white color, covered with a bloomy rind. The flavor is notably salty, sharp, and strong, with a hint of sourness, creating a bold taste experience. Its aroma is grassy and musty, adding to its rustic character. This cheese is recognized as a PDO product, ensuring its authenticity and quality. Brie de Melun is also known by the synonym Brie Noir. It pairs well with rustic breads and robust red wines.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Brie de Melun Cheese?
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Brie de Melun Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Brie de Melun Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Brie de Melun Cheese (Soft)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Brie de Melun Cheese (Bloomy)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Brie de Melun Cheese (salty, sharp, sour, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Brie de Melun Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | — | Melun |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Natural | Bloomy |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Salty, sharp, sour, strong |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Blue Cheese | Brie de Melun Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Amaro, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dirty Martini, Dried Figs, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Apple, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, IPA, Malbec, Muscat, Pear, Pecans, Port, Scotch, Steak | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Apples, Belgian Blonde, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, California Viogniers, Dried Cranberries, Grapes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Olives, Prosciutto, Roast Beef | — |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Blue Cheese and Brie de Melun Cheese
Blue Cheese
Brie de Melun Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Brie de Melun Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brie de Melun Cheese brings salty, sharp, sour, strong character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Brie de Melun Cheese's grassy, musty.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Brie de Melun Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Brie de Melun Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Brie de Melun Cheese brings salty, sharp, sour, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Brie de Melun Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a soft profile, Brie de Melun Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Brie de Melun Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, sour, strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Brie de Melun Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Brie de Melun Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Brie de Melun Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Brie de Melun Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Brie de Melun Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Brie de Melun Cheese is salty, sharp, sour, strong. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Brie de Melun Cheese is closer to grassy, musty.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
What is Brie de Melun Cheese made of?
Brie de Melun Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Brie de Melun Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Brie de Melun Cheese is soft.
See full profiles: Blue Cheese and Brie de Melun Cheese.