Brie Cheese vs Chabichou du Poitou Cheese

Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is soft, creamy to brittle and made from goat 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 Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Chabichou du Poitou is a goat cheese from the north of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in France, shaped like a small cylinder called a bonde. It is aged 10 to 20 days and is the only soft-ripened goat cheese that PDO rules allow to be made with pasteurized milk.

What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

• Milk type: Brie Cheese (cow's milk), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (unpasteurized or whole)
• Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (Soft, creamy to brittle)
• Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (White with blue-gray patches)
• Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (At least 10 days)
• Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Chabichou du Poitou Cheese (Slightly salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese brings slightly salty character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Chabichou du Poitou Cheese's goaty. More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese leans toward white rind, occasional blue-gray patches, embodies poitevin terroir's taste, creamy to strong flavor with aging. 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 Chabichou du Poitou Cheese at at least 10 days.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Brie Cheese can stand in for Chabichou du Poitou Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, creamy to brittle. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese brings slightly salty notes.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Chabichou du Poitou 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, creamy to brittle profile, Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese is made from cow milk; Chabichou du Poitou Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Chabichou du Poitou Cheese at least 10 days.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

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

Does Brie Cheese taste like Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is slightly salty. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is closer to goaty.

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 Chabichou du Poitou Cheese made of?

Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized or whole). It's typically aged at least 10 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Chabichou du Poitou Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Chabichou du Poitou Cheese is soft, creamy to brittle.