Brocciu Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese

Q: Is Brocciu Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No. Brocciu Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Brocciu Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Brocciu Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Brocciu Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Brocciu Cheese

Saint-Nectaire Cheese

Brocciu Cheese is a soft, creamy goat or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Brocciu Cheese?

Brocciu is a Corsican cheese made from either sheep's or goat's milk whey, with some milk added. It is similar to ricotta but richer. Brocciu can be consumed fresh or used in various Corsican dishes, including desserts and savory pastries. It is appreciated for its light, creamy texture and mild, fresh flavor.

What Is Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Saint-Nectaire is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese from the volcanic region in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes of France. Made from cow's milk, it has a creamy, supple texture with earthy notes and hints of nuts and mushrooms. Saint-Nectaire is typically aged for at least six weeks, during which it develops a distinctive orange-pink rind.

What's the Difference Between Brocciu Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Milk type: Brocciu Cheese (goat's or sheep's milk), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
Milk treatment: Brocciu Cheese (pasteurized), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier)
Texture: Brocciu Cheese (Soft, creamy), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
Rind: Brocciu Cheese (None), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
Aging: Brocciu Cheese (Fresh or matured), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (At least twenty-eight days)
Taste: Brocciu Cheese (Meltingly creamy, saltier when matured), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Brocciu Cheese	Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Country of Origin	France	France
Specific Origin	Corsica	Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne
Milk Type	Goat's or sheep's milk	Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers)
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier
Texture	Soft, creamy	Soft and tender
Rind	None	Washed-rind
Aging	Fresh or matured	At least twenty-eight days
Taste	Meltingly creamy, saltier when matured	Delicate hazelnut

Taste Comparison: Does Brocciu Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. On the nose, Brocciu Cheese offers delicious, contrasted with Saint-Nectaire Cheese's grassy. More specifically, Brocciu Cheese shows creamy, delicious aroma; becomes saltier and more intense when matured, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty. Aging plays into this as well. Brocciu Cheese at fresh or matured develops a different profile than Saint-Nectaire Cheese at at least twenty-eight days.

Can You Substitute Brocciu Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Brocciu Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Brocciu Cheese. For a soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brocciu Cheese suits recipes that want meltingly creamy, saltier when matured notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brocciu Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Brocciu Cheese is typically aged fresh or matured, Saint-Nectaire Cheese at least twenty-eight days.

Is Brocciu Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brocciu Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Does Brocciu Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Brocciu Cheese reads as meltingly creamy, saltier when matured, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Brocciu Cheese leans delicious, and Saint-Nectaire Cheese is closer to grassy.

What is Brocciu Cheese made of?

Brocciu Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or matured. It originates in France.

What is Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?

Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brocciu Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brocciu Cheese is soft, creamy, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.