Brillat-Savarin Cheese vs Washed Rind Cheese

Brillat-Savarin Cheese is a semisoft cow-milk cheese from France, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.

What Is Brillat-Savarin Cheese?

Brillat-Savarin is a French triple cream cow's milk cheese with a natural bloomy rind and at least 72% fat in dry matter. Made mainly in Normandy, it tastes luscious, creamy and faintly sour, and it is also sold fresh, closer to rich cream cheese.

What Is Washed Rind Cheese?

Washed-rind cheese, also called smear-ripened, is cured over and over with brine or mold-bearing agents as it ripens. That feeds Brevibacterium linens on the surface, which gives the cheese its pungent smell, firm rind and distinctive flavor.

What's the Difference Between Brillat-Savarin Cheese and Washed Rind Cheese?

• Texture: Brillat-Savarin Cheese (Semisoft), Washed Rind Cheese (soft to hard)
• Rind: Brillat-Savarin Cheese (White and fluffy P. candidum), Washed Rind Cheese (washed, firm)
• Taste: Brillat-Savarin Cheese (Luxurious, tangy, sour, mushroomy softened butter), Washed Rind Cheese (pungent, distinctive)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brillat-Savarin Cheese Taste Like Washed Rind Cheese?

Brillat-Savarin Cheese reads as luxurious, tangy, sour, mushroomy softened butter, while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive character. On the nose, Brillat-Savarin Cheese offers milky, contrasted with Washed Rind Cheese's pungent.

Can You Substitute Brillat-Savarin Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

Brillat-Savarin Cheese can stand in for Washed Rind Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semisoft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft to hard. Flavor-wise, Brillat-Savarin Cheese reads as luxurious, tangy, sour, mushroomy softened butter while Washed Rind Cheese brings pungent, distinctive notes.

Which Is Better, Brillat-Savarin Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semisoft cheese, go with Brillat-Savarin Cheese. For a soft to hard profile, Washed Rind Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brillat-Savarin Cheese suits recipes that want luxurious, tangy, sour, mushroomy softened butter notes, while Washed Rind Cheese fits dishes calling for pungent, distinctive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brillat-Savarin Cheese the same as Washed Rind Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Brillat-Savarin Cheese similar to Washed Rind Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Brillat-Savarin Cheese for Washed Rind Cheese?

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

Does Brillat-Savarin Cheese taste like Washed Rind Cheese?

Brillat-Savarin Cheese reads as luxurious, tangy, sour, mushroomy softened butter, while Washed Rind Cheese is pungent, distinctive. Aromas also diverge. Brillat-Savarin Cheese leans milky, and Washed Rind Cheese is closer to pungent.

What is Brillat-Savarin Cheese made of?

Brillat-Savarin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 1 to 2 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Washed Rind Cheese made of?

Washed Rind Cheese is made from milk.

Which should I choose, Brillat-Savarin Cheese or Washed Rind Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brillat-Savarin Cheese is semisoft, while Washed Rind Cheese is soft to hard.