Brie de Melun Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese

Q: Is Brie de Melun Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No. Brie de Melun Cheese and Taleggio Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Brie de Melun Cheese for Taleggio Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Brie de Melun Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Brie de Melun Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Taleggio Cheese?

Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.

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

Origin: Brie de Melun Cheese (France), Taleggio Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Brie de Melun Cheese (unpasteurized), Taleggio Cheese (Heated to 90–95°F)
Texture: Brie de Melun Cheese (Soft), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
Rind: Brie de Melun Cheese (Bloomy), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
Aging: Brie de Melun Cheese (at least four or five weeks), Taleggio Cheese (At least 35 (up to 50) days)
Taste: Brie de Melun Cheese (salty, sharp, sour, strong), Taleggio Cheese (Sweet, delicate, slightly sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Brie de Melun Cheese	Taleggio Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Italy
Specific Origin	Melun	Val Taleggio, Po Valley
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Unpasteurized	Heated to 90–95°F
Texture	Soft	Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center
Rind	Bloomy	Soft, thin, pinkish-red
Aging	At least four or five weeks	At least 35 (up to 50) days
Taste	Salty, sharp, sour, strong	Sweet, delicate, slightly sour

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

Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour character. On the nose, Brie de Melun Cheese offers grassy, musty, contrasted with Taleggio Cheese's herbaceous, aromatic. More specifically, Brie de Melun Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Taleggio Cheese leans toward herbaceous, aromatic, intensifies and becomes more complex over time. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Melun Cheese at at least four or five weeks develops a different profile than Taleggio Cheese at at least 35 (up to 50) days.

Can You Substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie de Melun Cheese and Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center. Flavor-wise, Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour notes.

Which Is Better, Brie de Melun Cheese or Taleggio 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 Melun Cheese. For a soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Melun Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, sour, strong notes, while Taleggio Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, delicate, slightly sour.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie de Melun Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie de Melun Cheese originates in France, while Taleggio Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Brie de Melun Cheese is typically aged at least four or five weeks, Taleggio Cheese at least 35 (up to 50) days.

Is Brie de Melun Cheese similar to Taleggio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

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

Does Brie de Melun Cheese taste like Taleggio Cheese?

Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Taleggio Cheese is sweet, delicate, slightly sour. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Melun Cheese leans grassy, musty, and Taleggio Cheese is closer to herbaceous, aromatic.

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 Taleggio Cheese made of?

Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Melun Cheese is soft, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.