Camembert Cheese vs Camembert de Normandie Cheese

Camembert Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from France, while Camembert de Normandie Cheese is young: narrow unripe core; aged: homogeneous, sticky and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Camembert Cheese?

Camembert is a moist, soft, surface-ripened cow's milk cheese from Normandy, first made in the late 18th century. Penicillium camemberti gives it a white bloomy rind and a creamy interior, with a taste stronger and slightly more sour than brie.

What Is Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

Camembert de Normandie is the AOC version of Camembert, a soft, surface-ripened cow's milk cheese from Normandy in northwest France. The rules require raw milk from Normande cows, and each small round is covered by a bloomy white rind.

What's the Difference Between Camembert Cheese and Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Camembert Cheese (unpasteurized for AOC Camembert de Normandie, pasteurized for most other versions), Camembert de Normandie Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Camembert Cheese (soft, artisan), Camembert de Normandie Cheese (Young: Narrow unripe core; Aged: Homogeneous, sticky)
• Rind: Camembert Cheese (Bloomy), Camembert de Normandie Cheese (Bloomy, white)
• Aging: Camembert Cheese (minimum 3 weeks), Camembert de Normandie Cheese (~30 days)
• Taste: Camembert Cheese (slightly sour, stronger than brie), Camembert de Normandie Cheese (Young: Lactic, tangy, sweet; Aged: Pungent, mushroom, garlic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Camembert Cheese Taste Like Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

Camembert Cheese reads as slightly sour, stronger than brie, while Camembert de Normandie Cheese brings young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic character. On the nose, Camembert Cheese offers buttery, rich, contrasted with Camembert de Normandie Cheese's lactic to pungent with notes of mushroom and garlic. More specifically, Camembert Cheese shows slightly sour, sometimes chalky, stronger than brie of the same ripening time; ammonia when overripe, while Camembert de Normandie Cheese leans toward starts with a tangy, sweet flavor, evolving into more pungent notes of mushroom and garlic as it ages. the texture also evolves from somewhat crumbly to satisfyingly sticky and chewy.. Aging plays into this as well. Camembert Cheese at minimum 3 weeks develops a different profile than Camembert de Normandie Cheese at ~30 days.

Can You Substitute Camembert Cheese for Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

In most recipes, Camembert Cheese and Camembert de Normandie Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for young: narrow unripe core; aged: homogeneous, sticky. Flavor-wise, Camembert Cheese reads as slightly sour, stronger than brie while Camembert de Normandie Cheese brings young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic notes.

Which Is Better, Camembert Cheese or Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Camembert Cheese. For a young: narrow unripe core; aged: homogeneous, sticky profile, Camembert de Normandie Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Camembert Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sour, stronger than brie notes, while Camembert de Normandie Cheese fits dishes calling for young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Camembert Cheese the same as Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Camembert Cheese is typically aged minimum 3 weeks, Camembert de Normandie Cheese ~30 days.

Is Camembert Cheese similar to Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Camembert Cheese for Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

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

Does Camembert Cheese taste like Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

Camembert Cheese reads as slightly sour, stronger than brie, while Camembert de Normandie Cheese is young: lactic, tangy, sweet; aged: pungent, mushroom, garlic. Aromas also diverge. Camembert Cheese leans buttery, rich, and Camembert de Normandie Cheese is closer to lactic to pungent with notes of mushroom and garlic.

What is Camembert Cheese made of?

Camembert Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized for aoc camembert de normandie, pasteurized for most other versions). It's typically aged minimum 3 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Camembert de Normandie Cheese made of?

Camembert de Normandie Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged ~30 days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Camembert Cheese or Camembert de Normandie Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Camembert Cheese is soft, artisan, while Camembert de Normandie Cheese is young: narrow unripe core; aged: homogeneous, sticky.