Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese.
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 Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol, also known simply as Chavignol, is a cheese made from raw whole goat's milk. It originates from France and is protected under the designation of origin (PDO). The cheese is shaped like a flat cylinder and has a thin rind that can be ivory-colored with or without white or blue molds. The cheese is known for its lactic coagulation process with a small amount of rennet added. It has a fat content of at least 45% of the dry matter and a total dry matter content between 37g and 48g per cheese. The cheese is matured for at least 10 days, and a special version called "repassé" is matured in a confined atmosphere to develop a blue Penicillium mold.
What's the Difference Between Brin d'Amour Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
- Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk)
- Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds)
- Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Minimum maturing period of 10 days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brin d'Amour Cheese | Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Corsica, France | — |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to firm | — |
| Rind | Natural | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds |
| Aging | 1 to 3 months | Minimum maturing period of 10 days |
| Taste | Earthy | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese at minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese made of?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using small quantity added rennet. It's typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Which should I choose, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.