Brie Cheese vs Brie de Meaux Cheese
Brie Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese
Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is soft and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Brie Cheese?
Brie is a soft cheese named after the French region from which it originated. It’s famous for its creamy interior and edible white rind. Brie has a rich, buttery flavor with hints of mushrooms and almonds. It’s often served at room temperature on cheese platters or used in cooking for its ability to add depth and creaminess to recipes.
What Is Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Brie de Meaux is a variety of Brie that is considered one of the finest cheeses in the world, holding AOC designation. It features a more complex flavor profile than regular Brie, including a rich, creamy interior with flavors of mushrooms, almonds, and truffles. Its rind is bloomy and edible, contributing a rustic, earthy note to its taste.
What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Brie de Meaux Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Brie de Meaux Cheese (White mold)
- Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Brie de Meaux Cheese (Cream, butter, hazelnuts)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie Cheese | Brie de Meaux Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Meaux |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Bloomy | White mold |
| Aging | — | Minimum of 4 weeks |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Cream, butter, hazelnuts |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Brie Cheese | Brie de Meaux Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Asti Spumante, Beaujolais, Belgian Blonde, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Dried Cranberries, Dried Fruit, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Gamay, Ginger, Grapes, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, Kombucha, Mangoes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Pear, Pecans, Pistachios, Port, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Turkey, Viognier, White Burgundy | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Dijon Mustard, Dried Figs, German Riesling, Green Apple, Green Tea, Grüner Veltliner, Ham, Kiwi, Muscat, Prosciutto, Pumpkin, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Scotch, Sweet Potato | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Brie Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese
Brie Cheese
Brie de Meaux Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts character.
Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?
In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Brie de Meaux Cheese brings cream, butter, hazelnuts notes.
Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Brie de Meaux Cheese fits dishes calling for cream, butter, hazelnuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie Cheese the same as Brie de Meaux Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Brie Cheese similar to Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Brie Cheese taste like Brie de Meaux Cheese?
Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Brie de Meaux Cheese is cream, butter, hazelnuts.
What is Brie Cheese made of?
Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in France.
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.
Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Brie de Meaux Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.
See full profiles: Brie Cheese and Brie de Meaux Cheese.