Brin d'Amour Cheese vs Trnič Cheese

Brin d'Amour Cheese is a soft to firm sheep-milk cheese from France, while Trnič Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Slovenia.

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 Trnič Cheese?

Trnič is a hard Slovenian cheese made for centuries by shepherds on Velika planina, Mala planina and Gojška planina from sour skimmed milk curd, cream and salt. Shaped by hand and stamped with carved wooden patterns, it was given in pairs as a token of love.

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

• Origin: Brin d'Amour Cheese (France), Trnič Cheese (Slovenia)
• Milk type: Brin d'Amour Cheese (sheep's milk), Trnič Cheese (Cow’s milk)
• Milk treatment: Brin d'Amour Cheese (raw), Trnič Cheese (Sour, heated)
• Texture: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Soft to firm), Trnič Cheese (Hard)
• Aging: Brin d'Amour Cheese (1 to 3 months), Trnič Cheese (4 weeks)
• Taste: Brin d'Amour Cheese (Earthy), Trnič Cheese (Salty and slightly acidic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Trnič Cheese brings salty and slightly acidic character. More specifically, Brin d'Amour Cheese shows pronounced milk flavor, intensifies with age; herb influence grows, while Trnič Cheese leans toward can be slightly piquant; hard, dry, and crumbly. Aging plays into this as well. Brin d'Amour Cheese at 1 to 3 months develops a different profile than Trnič Cheese at 4 weeks.

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

Brin d'Amour Cheese can stand in for Trnič 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy while Trnič Cheese brings salty and slightly acidic notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brin d'Amour Cheese originates in France, while Trnič Cheese comes from Slovenia. Brin d'Amour Cheese is made from sheep milk; Trnič Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brin d'Amour Cheese is typically aged 1 to 3 months, Trnič Cheese 4 weeks.

Is Brin d'Amour Cheese similar to Trnič Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Brin d'Amour Cheese taste like Trnič Cheese?

Brin d'Amour Cheese reads as earthy, while Trnič Cheese is salty and slightly acidic.

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 Trnič Cheese made of?

Trnič Cheese is made from cow milk (sour, heated). It's typically aged 4 weeks. It originates in Slovenia.

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

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