Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is grainy, flaky and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano is a hard, granular Italian cheese made from unpasteurised cow's milk and aged at least 12 months. Protected as a PDO across Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of Bologna and Mantua, it is known for its sharp, salty, deeply savoury taste.

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

• Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Grainy, flaky)
• Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Hard)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (12 to 36 months)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Umami)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami character. On the nose, Brin d'Amour Cheese offers herbaceous, contrasted with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese's mild, milky. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese leans toward lactic (fermented milk), sweet (fresh cream, melted butter), fruity or citrusy (apricot, banana, dried fruits, lemon, pineapple), balanced by savory nutty (hazelnut, walnut) and meaty. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese at 12 to 36 months.

Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Parmigiano Reggiano 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 grainy, flaky. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese brings umami notes.

Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano 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 grainy, flaky profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese suits recipes that want earthy notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese fits dishes calling for umami.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese comes from Italy. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 12 to 36 months.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

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

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is umami. Aromas also diverge. Brin d'Amour Cheese leans herbaceous, and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is closer to mild, milky.

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 Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 12 to 36 months. It originates in Italy.

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

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