Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

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 Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

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

• Milk treatment: Brin d'Amour Cheese (raw), Roquefort Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
• Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. On the nose, Brin d'Amour Cheese offers herbaceous, contrasted with Roquefort Cheese's sweet. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

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

In most recipes, Brin d'Amour Cheese and Roquefort Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft to firm bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese suits recipes that want earthy notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

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

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

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

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 Roquefort Cheese made of?

Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.

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

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