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Brie Cheese vs Emmental Cheese
Brie Cheese
Emmental Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Emmental Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Emmental Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Emmental Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Emmental Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Emmental Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Emmental 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.
Emmental Cheese Overview
Emmental is a classic Swiss cheese, known for its large holes and nutty, mild flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a hard, dense texture. The holes, or "eyes," develop during the fermentation process as a result of gas released by the bacteria in the cheese. Emmental is often used in sandwiches and is a key ingredient in traditional Swiss fondue.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Emmental Cheese originated from Switzerland.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Brie is not a protected cheese. Emmental Cheese has a PDO (2004).
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Emmental Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Emmental Cheese has a fat content of minimum of 45% (dry matter). Emmental's texture can be described as "hard or medium-hard".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Emmental Cheese has a nutty, sweet taste.
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Emmental Cheese has a color of yellow , comes in round loaves and has an aging period of 4 months to over 1 year .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet.
Ranking
Brie is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views. Emmental is ranked #16 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Emmental | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Dijon Mustard |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brie and Emmental pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Emmental Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Emmental, Canton Of Bern |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (2004) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Raw |
| Fat Content | Not Specified | Minimum of 45% (dry matter) |
| Rind | Bloomy | Not Specified |
| Texture | Soft | Hard or medium-hard |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Nutty, sweet |
| Colors | White | Yellow |
| Forms | Not Specified | Round loaves |
| Age | Not Specified | 4 months to over 1 year |
| Rennet Type | Animal | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft cheese, go for Brie. But if you enjoy a hard or medium-hard consistency, Emmental might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Emmental offers a nutty, sweet profile, ideal for different meals.
