Brie de Melun Cheese vs Feta Cheese

Brie de Melun Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Feta Cheese is soft and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.

What Is Brie de Melun Cheese?

Brie de Melun is a soft unpasteurised cow's milk cheese from the Brie region of France, one of only two bries the French government certifies. It is smaller than Brie de Meaux, with a stronger flavour and a more pungent smell, and has held AOC status since 1980.

What Is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly and slightly grainy, tangy and salty, and it anchors dishes like Greek salad and spanakopita.

What's the Difference Between Brie de Melun Cheese and Feta Cheese?

• Origin: Brie de Melun Cheese (France), Feta Cheese (Greece)
• Milk type: Brie de Melun Cheese (Cow's milk), Feta Cheese (Sheep's milk, sometimes with goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie de Melun Cheese (unpasteurized), Feta Cheese (Pasteurized, sometimes raw)
• Rind: Brie de Melun Cheese (Bloomy), Feta Cheese (None)
• Aging: Brie de Melun Cheese (at least four or five weeks), Feta Cheese (2 months to longer)
• Taste: Brie de Melun Cheese (salty, sharp, sour, strong), Feta Cheese (Sharp to mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Melun Cheese Taste Like Feta Cheese?

Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild character. On the nose, Brie de Melun Cheese offers grassy, musty, contrasted with Feta Cheese's ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt. More specifically, Brie de Melun Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Feta Cheese leans toward sharp, dry, hard to mild, rich, creamy depending on production methods, breed of animals, season, and diet. can be tangy or creamy. flavors of sheep’s milk, grass, and clover. variety ranges from region to region, and producer to producer.. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Melun Cheese at at least four or five weeks develops a different profile than Feta Cheese at 2 months to longer.

Can You Substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Feta Cheese?

Brie de Melun Cheese can stand in for Feta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong while Feta Cheese brings sharp to mild notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Melun Cheese or Feta Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Brie de Melun Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, sour, strong notes, while Feta Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp to mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Melun Cheese the same as Feta Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Melun Cheese originates in France, while Feta Cheese comes from Greece. Brie de Melun Cheese is made from cow milk; Feta Cheese uses goat or sheep. Aging also differs: Brie de Melun Cheese is typically aged at least four or five weeks, Feta Cheese 2 months to longer.

Is Brie de Melun Cheese similar to Feta Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Feta Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Melun Cheese taste like Feta Cheese?

Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Feta Cheese is sharp to mild. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Melun Cheese leans grassy, musty, and Feta Cheese is closer to ewe's milk, butter, yoghurt.

What is Brie de Melun Cheese made of?

Brie de Melun Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least four or five weeks. It originates in France.

What is Feta Cheese made of?

Feta Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized, sometimes raw), using rennet. It's typically aged 2 months to longer. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Brie de Melun Cheese or Feta Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.