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 cheese from Corsica, France, made from pasteurized sheep's milk. It has a soft to firm texture and a natural rind. The flavor is earthy with a pronounced milk taste that becomes stronger as it ages. The herbaceous aroma comes from the coating of local herbs on the rind, which also influences the flavor over time. The cheese is white in color and typically aged for 1 to 3 months. As it matures, the herbal influence becomes more prominent. Brin d'Amour offers a taste of Corsica with each bite.

What Is Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano is an iconic Italian cheese produced in specific regions of Italy, including Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna. It is made from raw cow's milk and aged at least 12 months, developing a deep, complex flavor that's slightly nutty and salty. Parmigiano Reggiano is essential in Italian cooking and as a finishing cheese.

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)
• Milk treatment: Brin d'Amour Cheese (pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese (Raw)
• 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 (pasteurized). 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.