Brie Cheese vs Laguiole Cheese

Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple 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 Laguiole Cheese?

Laguiole is a pressed, uncooked cheese from the Aubrac plateau in southern France, made only from raw Simmental or Aubrac cow's milk. Protected by AOC since 1961, it is the main cheese in aligot, the regional dish of mashed potatoes with cream and butter.

What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Laguiole Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Laguiole Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Laguiole Cheese (Firm and supple)
• Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Laguiole Cheese (Dry whitish to light gray, aging to amber-brown to granite gray)
• Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Laguiole Cheese (4-10+ months)
• Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Laguiole Cheese (Medium to intense)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Laguiole Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Laguiole Cheese's milky and fresh grass, dried meat. More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Laguiole Cheese leans toward dry whitish to light gray rind transitioning to amber-brown to granite gray as aged. the body is ivory to straw yellow. flavor ranges from milky and fresh grass to nuts, with a lactic flavor varying by age. consumed as a table cheese, in salads, or for cooking. noted for use in aligot de l’aubrac.. 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 Laguiole Cheese at 4-10+ months.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Laguiole 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 firm and supple. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Laguiole Cheese brings medium to intense notes.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Laguiole 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 firm and supple profile, Laguiole Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Laguiole Cheese fits dishes calling for medium to intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Laguiole 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, Laguiole Cheese 4-10+ months.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Laguiole Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Laguiole Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Brie Cheese taste like Laguiole Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Laguiole Cheese is medium to intense. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Laguiole Cheese is closer to milky and fresh grass, dried meat.

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 Laguiole Cheese made of?

Laguiole Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4-10+ months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Laguiole Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Laguiole Cheese is firm and supple.