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Brie Cheese vs Stilton Cheese
Brie Cheese
Stilton Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brie Cheese and Stilton Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Brie Cheese and Stilton Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese and Stilton Cheese the same?"
- "How does Brie Cheese compare to Stilton Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Brie Cheese compare to Stilton Cheese?"
- "Is Brie Cheese or Stilton 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.
Stilton Cheese Overview
Stilton is one of the best-known British blue cheeses, traditionally made in two varieties: blue and white. Blue Stilton is creamy and crumbly with a distinctively sharp, rich flavor produced by the blue veins. White Stilton, less common, is the milder of the two and does not have the blue veining.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Brie Cheese comes from France. Stilton Cheese originated from England.
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. Stilton Cheese has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Brie Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Stilton Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Brie's texture can be described as "soft". Stilton's texture can be described as "hard, blue-veined".
Taste and Aroma
Brie Cheese has a nutty, mushroom taste. Stilton Cheese has a spicy, strong taste.
Appearance and Aging
Brie Cheese's appearance is colored white . Stilton Cheese has a color of blue-grey .
Rind and Rennet Type
Brie Cheese's rind is described as bloomy and uses animal rennet. Stilton Cheese's rind is described as natural .
Ranking
Brie is ranked #6 out of 996 types based on community views. Stilton is ranked #28 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Brie | Stilton | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Barleywine, Madeira |
| 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 Stilton pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Brie Cheese | Stilton Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | England |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Rind | Bloomy | Natural |
| Texture | Soft | Hard, blue-veined |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | Spicy, strong |
| Colors | White | Blue-grey |
| 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, blue-veined consistency, Stilton might be the better pick. Brie has a nutty, mushroom taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Stilton offers a spicy, strong profile, ideal for different meals.
