Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Swaledale Ewes' Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is hard, firm, crumbly and made from sheep milk.

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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Swaledale Ewes Cheese is a full-fat hard cheese made from ewe’s milk in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. It has a cylindrical shape, a firm and crumbly texture, and a natural white color. The cheese is either coated in a greenish-blue-grey mold or sealed with black wax. Made entirely by hand, the traditional production process includes pressing, brining for 24 hours, and a maturation period of 3 to 4 weeks. The cheese has been produced in the region for centuries using a closely guarded recipe passed down through generations. The distinct flavor is influenced by the local pastures, which provide a unique mix of herbs and grasses for the sheep.

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

• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Hard, firm, crumbly)
• Rind: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Natural), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (Greenish-blue-grey mold or black wax coating)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Swaledale Ewes' Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brin d'Amour Cheese Taste Like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Swaledale Ewes' Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

In most recipes, Brin d'Amour Cheese and Swaledale Ewes' 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 hard, firm, crumbly.

Which Is Better, Brin d'Amour Cheese or Swaledale Ewes' 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 hard, firm, crumbly profile, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese the same as Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Swaledale Ewes' Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brin d'Amour Cheese for Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

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

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Swaledale Ewes' Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 Swaledale Ewes' Cheese made of?

Swaledale Ewes' Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks.

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

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