Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Derby Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a semi-soft sheep-milk cheese from France, while Derby Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in England and United Kingdom.

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 Derby Cheese?

Derby is a mild, semi-firm cow's milk cheese from Derbyshire, England, with a smooth, mellow texture and a buttery flavour. It sits close to Cheddar in taste but stays softer, and its best known version is the sage-flecked Sage Derby.

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

• Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Derby Cheese (England and United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Sheep's milk), Derby Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Semi-soft), Derby Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Derby Cheese (natural or waxed)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Derby Cheese (1 to 6 months)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Derby Cheese (buttery, mild, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Derby Cheese brings buttery, mild, sweet character. On the nose, Brin d'Amour Cheese offers herbaceous, contrasted with Derby Cheese's mild. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Derby Cheese leans toward springy and mild when young, turning firmer and subtly sweet with age. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Derby Cheese at 1 to 6 months.

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Derby Cheese comes from England and United Kingdom. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Derby Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Derby Cheese 1 to 6 months.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Derby Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Derby Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Derby Cheese is buttery, mild, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Brin d'Amour Cheese leans herbaceous, and Derby Cheese is closer to mild.

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 Derby Cheese made of?

Derby Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged 1 to 6 months. It originates in England and United Kingdom.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brin d'Amour Cheese is semi-soft, while Derby Cheese is semi-hard.