Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Brunost Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey and made from cow and goat milk, originating in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

What Is Brin d'Amour Cheese?

Brin d'amour is a Corsican raw sheep's milk cheese created in the 1950s. It is known for a natural rind dusted with herbs of the maquis, which pass their flavor into the soft ivory paste as the cheese ages.

What Is Brunost Cheese?

Brunost is a Norwegian whey product made by boiling whey with milk and cream until the milk sugars caramelize. It is brown, sweet and firm enough to slice, and it is eaten like cheese on sandwiches, crispbread and waffles.

What's the Difference Between Brin d'Amour Cheese and Brunost Cheese?

• Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Brunost Cheese (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
• Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Brunost Cheese (cow's and goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Brin d'Amour Cheese (raw), Brunost Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Brunost Cheese (semi-soft, whey)
• Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Brunost Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Brunost Cheese (unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Brunost Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Brunost Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Brunost Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Brunost Cheese leans toward sweet, caramel-like, with a tang that is stronger in goat's milk versions. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Brunost Cheese at unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated.

Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Brunost Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Brunost Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to firm bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, whey. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Brunost Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Brunost Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to firm cheese, go with Brin d'Amour Cheese. For a semi-soft, whey profile, Brunost Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese suits recipes that want earthy notes, while Brunost Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Brunost Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Brunost Cheese comes from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Brunost Cheese uses cow and goat. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Brunost Cheese unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Brunost Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Brunost Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Brunost Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Brunost Cheese is caramel, sweet.

What is Brin d'Amour Cheese made of?

Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged 1 to 3 months. It originates in France.

What is Brunost Cheese made of?

Brunost Cheese is made from cow and goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged unaged, ready once packed and refrigerated. It originates in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Which should I choose, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Brunost Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brin d'Amour Cheese is soft to firm, while Brunost Cheese is semi-soft, whey.