Camembert Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Camembert Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from France, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
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 Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Camembert Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Camembert Cheese (cow's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Camembert Cheese (soft, artisan), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Camembert Cheese (Bloomy), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Camembert Cheese (minimum 3 weeks), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Camembert Cheese (slightly sour, stronger than brie), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Camembert Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Camembert, Normandy, Northwest France | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized for AOC Camembert de Normandie, pasteurized for most other versions | — |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | Bloomy | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | Minimum 3 weeks | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Slightly sour, stronger than brie | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Camembert Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Camembert Cheese reads as slightly sour, stronger than brie, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Camembert Cheese at minimum 3 weeks develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Camembert Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Camembert Cheese can stand in for Soft Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Camembert Cheese reads as slightly sour, stronger than brie while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Camembert Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Camembert Cheese suits recipes that want slightly sour, stronger than brie notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Camembert Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Camembert Cheese is made from cow milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Camembert Cheese is typically aged minimum 3 weeks, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Camembert Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Camembert Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Camembert Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Camembert Cheese reads as slightly sour, stronger than brie, while Soft Cheese is mild.
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 Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Camembert Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Camembert Cheese is soft, artisan, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.