Brie Cheese vs Cabrales Cheese

Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Spain.

What Is Brie Cheese?

Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese named after the French region it comes from, pale under a white mould rind. It runs 60 to 75 percent butterfat and tastes creamy, nutty and mushroom-like, with a faint acidity. The rind is eaten along with the paste.

What Is Cabrales Cheese?

Cabrales is a blue cheese made by rural dairy farmers in the Asturias mountains of Spain, from raw cow's milk alone or blended with goat and sheep milk. It is known for its strong, sometimes sharply acidic flavor and for ripening in limestone caves.

What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Cabrales Cheese?

• Origin: Brie Cheese (France), Cabrales Cheese (Spain)
• Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes)
• Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Cabrales Cheese (Natural)
• Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months)
• Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Cabrales Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Cabrales Cheese's strong. More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Cabrales Cheese leans toward hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd. Aging plays into this as well. Brie Cheese at at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir develops a different profile than Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Cabrales 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 unctuous, compact, no eyes. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Cabrales 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 Cheese. For a unctuous, compact, no eyes profile, Cabrales Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Cabrales Cheese fits dishes calling for intense, piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Cabrales Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese originates in France, while Cabrales Cheese comes from Spain. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Cabrales Cheese 2 to 3 months.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Cabrales Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?

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

Does Brie Cheese taste like Cabrales Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Cabrales Cheese is intense, piquant. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Cabrales Cheese is closer to strong.

What is Brie Cheese made of?

Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir. It originates in France.

What is Cabrales Cheese made of?

Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using kid rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes.