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Brie Cheese vs Edam Cheese
Brie Cheese
Edam Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Edam Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Edam Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Edam Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Edam Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Edam Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Edam Cheese better?"
Brie Cheese Overview
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.
Edam Cheese Overview
Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is recognizable by its typically red or yellow wax coating. Made from partially skimmed cow's milk, it has a mild, slightly salty flavor and a firm but creamy texture. Edam ages well and does not spoil; instead, it hardens, which makes it an excellent cheese for long-term storage.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Edam Cheese originated from Netherlands.
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Edam Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Edam's texture can be described as "rubber-textured to crystalline".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Edam Cheese has a sweet, milky, nutty, buttery taste.
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Edam Cheese has a color of red , comes in round and has an aging period of 3 months to longer .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet. Edam Cheese's rind is described as smooth, waxed .
Ranking
Brie is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views. Edam is ranked #14 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Edam | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Dijon Mustard, Dried Figs, German Riesling, Green Apple, Green Tea, GrĂĽner Veltliner, Ham, Kiwi, Muscat, Prosciutto, Pumpkin, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Scotch, Sweet Potato | Chardonnay |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brie and Edam pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Edam Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Brie | North Of Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Rind | Bloomy | Smooth, waxed |
| Texture | Soft | Rubber-textured to crystalline |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery |
| Colors | White | Red |
| Forms | Not Specified | Round |
| Age | Not Specified | 3 months to longer |
| Rennet Type | Animal | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft cheese, go for Brie. But if you enjoy a rubber-textured to crystalline consistency, Edam might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Edam offers a sweet, milky, nutty, buttery profile, ideal for different meals.
