Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Domiati Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Domiati Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

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 Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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

• Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Domiati Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.)
• Milk treatment: Brin d'Amour Cheese (raw), Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Domiati Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Domiati Cheese (None)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Domiati Cheese (Salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Domiati Cheese brings salty character. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Domiati Cheese leans toward salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

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

Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Domiati 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Domiati Cheese brings salty notes.

Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Domiati 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 soft profile, Domiati Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese suits recipes that want earthy notes, while Domiati Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Domiati Cheese comes from Egypt. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Domiati Cheese uses cow, goat, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Domiati Cheese fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Domiati Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Domiati Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Domiati Cheese is salty.

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 Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

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

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