Brie Cheese vs Camembert Cheese
Brie Cheese
Camembert Cheese
Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Camembert Cheese is soft, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in France.
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 Camembert Cheese?
Camembert is a moist, soft, surface-ripened cow's milk cheese from Normandy, first made in the late 18th century. Penicillium camemberti gives it a white bloomy rind and a creamy interior, with a taste stronger and slightly more sour than brie.
What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Camembert Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Camembert Cheese (unpasteurized for AOC Camembert de Normandie, pasteurized for most other versions)
- Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Camembert Cheese (soft, artisan)
- Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Camembert Cheese (minimum 3 weeks)
- Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Camembert Cheese (slightly sour, stronger than brie)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie Cheese | Camembert Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Camembert, Normandy, Northwest France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Unpasteurized for AOC Camembert de Normandie, pasteurized for most other versions |
| Texture | Soft | Soft, artisan |
| Rind | Bloomy | Bloomy |
| Aging | At least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir | Minimum 3 weeks |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Slightly sour, stronger than brie |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.
| Brie Cheese | Camembert Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs well with | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Asti Spumante, Beaujolais, Belgian Blonde, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Crackers and more | Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Gamay, Grüner Veltliner, Hard Cider, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Fig Jam and more |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Camembert Cheese?
Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Camembert Cheese brings slightly sour, stronger than brie character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Camembert Cheese's buttery, rich. More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Camembert Cheese leans toward slightly sour, sometimes chalky, stronger than brie of the same ripening time; ammonia when overripe. 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 Camembert Cheese at minimum 3 weeks.
Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Camembert Cheese?
In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Camembert 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, artisan. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Camembert Cheese brings slightly sour, stronger than brie notes.
Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Camembert 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 soft, artisan profile, Camembert Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Camembert Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly sour, stronger than brie.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie Cheese the same as Camembert Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Camembert Cheese minimum 3 weeks.
Is Brie Cheese similar to Camembert Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Camembert Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Brie Cheese taste like Camembert Cheese?
Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Camembert Cheese is slightly sour, stronger than brie. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Camembert Cheese is closer to buttery, rich.
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 Camembert Cheese made of?
Camembert Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized for aoc camembert de normandie, pasteurized for most other versions). It's typically aged minimum 3 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Camembert Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Camembert Cheese is soft, artisan.