, then select "Add to Home Screen" to get instant access.
Log In
Explore
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Free Tools
Brie Cheese vs Mascarpone Cheese
Brie Cheese
Mascarpone Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Mascarpone Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Mascarpone Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Mascarpone Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Mascarpone Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Mascarpone Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Mascarpone 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.
Mascarpone Cheese Overview
Mascarpone is a creamy, soft Italian cheese made from cream, coagulated by the addition of citric acid or acetic acid. It has a very rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet taste. Mascarpone is a key ingredient in desserts like tiramisu and can also be used in dips, spreads, and sauces.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Mascarpone Cheese originated from Italy.
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Mascarpone Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically heated.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Mascarpone Cheese has a fat content of 60 to 75 percent. Mascarpone's texture can be described as "soft, spreadable".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Mascarpone Cheese has a buttery to slightly tangy taste. Mascarpone's aroma can be described as "fresh".
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Mascarpone Cheese has a color of white .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet. Mascarpone Cheese's rind is described as rindless .
Ranking
Brie is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views. Mascarpone is ranked #38 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Mascarpone | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Asti Spumante, Fruit Compote, Kiwi, Mangoes, Prosecco, Raspberry, Strawberries |
| 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 | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brie and Mascarpone pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Mascarpone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Lombardy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Heated |
| Fat Content | Not Specified | 60 to 75 percent |
| Rind | Bloomy | Rindless |
| Texture | Soft | Soft, spreadable |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Buttery to slightly tangy |
| Aroma | Not Specified | Fresh |
| Colors | White | White |
| Rennet Type | Animal | Not Specified |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft cheese, go for Brie. But if you enjoy a soft, spreadable consistency, Mascarpone might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Mascarpone offers a buttery to slightly tangy profile, ideal for different meals.
