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Brie Cheese vs Havarti Cheese
Brie Cheese
Havarti Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Havarti Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Havarti Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Havarti Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Havarti Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Havarti Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Havarti 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.
Havarti Cheese Overview
Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cheese known for its creamy texture and mild, slightly tangy flavor. It is typically made from cow's milk and is a table cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. Havarti may also be flavored with spices, herbs, or other additives to enhance its taste.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Havarti Cheese originated from Denmark.
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. Havarti Cheese has a PGI (2010).
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Havarti Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Havarti Cheese has a fat content of max 50% moisture, min 23% fat and a moisture content of none. Havarti's texture can be described as "smooth".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Havarti Cheese has a mild, buttery taste. Havarti's aroma can be described as "pungent aroma, earthy taste".
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Havarti Cheese comes in rectangular .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet. Havarti Cheese's rind is described as washed rind .
Ranking
Brie is ranked #6 out of 996 types based on community views. Havarti is ranked #9 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Havarti | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Kolsch, Pinot Gris, Riesling |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Dijon Mustard, Dried Figs, German Riesling, Green Apple, Green Tea, Grüner Veltliner, Ham, Kiwi, Muscat, Prosciutto, Pumpkin, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Scotch, Sweet Potato | Apples, Asian Pear, Asparagus, Belgian Blonde, California Viogniers, Champagne, Crackers, Dirty Martini, Green Apple, Green Tea, Grilled Cheese, Hard Cider, IPA, Kombucha, Pistachios, Sauvignon Blanc, Shrimp, Sparkling Rosé, Viognier |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brie and Havarti pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Havarti Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Denmark |
| Specific Origin | Brie | No Specific Location |
| Certification | Not Specified | PGI (2010) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | Not Specified | Max 50% moisture, min 23% fat |
| Moisture Content | Not Specified | 40–45% (Typically) |
| Rind | Bloomy | Washed rind |
| Texture | Soft | Smooth |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Mild, buttery |
| Aroma | Not Specified | Pungent aroma, earthy taste |
| Colors | White | Not Specified |
| Forms | Not Specified | Rectangular |
| Rennet Type | Animal | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft cheese, go for Brie. But if you enjoy a smooth consistency, Havarti might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Havarti offers a mild, buttery profile, ideal for different meals.
