Brie Cheese vs Chevrotin Cheese

Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Brie Cheese?

Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese named after the French region it comes from, pale under a white mould rind. It runs 60 to 75 percent butterfat and tastes creamy, nutty and mushroom-like, with a faint acidity. The rind is eaten along with the paste.

What Is Chevrotin Cheese?

Chevrotin is a soft goat milk cheese from Savoy in France, made with unpasteurised milk and ripened at least three weeks on pine shelves. It holds an AOC and is known for a full flavor with a sourness that recalls wild mountain herbs.

What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Chevrotin Cheese?

• Milk type: Brie Cheese (cow's milk), Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized)
• Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous)
• Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind)
• Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days)
• Taste: Brie Cheese (Nutty, Mushroom), Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Chevrotin Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine character. On the nose, Brie Cheese offers ammoniated when overripe, contrasted with Chevrotin Cheese's gentle caprine, woody, farmyard. More specifically, Brie Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Chevrotin Cheese leans toward gentle goatiness, balance of salt, vegetal notes, alpine flowers, pinkish exterior, fine white mold, ivory paste. Aging plays into this as well. Brie Cheese at at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir develops a different profile than Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

Brie Cheese can stand in for Chevrotin Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, unctuous. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine notes.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Brie Cheese. For a soft, unctuous profile, Chevrotin Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie Cheese suits recipes that want nutty, mushroom notes, while Chevrotin Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, caprine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Chevrotin Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese is made from cow milk; Chevrotin Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Chevrotin Cheese 21+ days.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Chevrotin Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

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

Does Brie Cheese taste like Chevrotin Cheese?

Brie Cheese reads as nutty, mushroom, while Chevrotin Cheese is mild, caprine. Aromas also diverge. Brie Cheese leans ammoniated when overripe, and Chevrotin Cheese is closer to gentle caprine, woody, farmyard.

What is Brie Cheese made of?

Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir. It originates in France.

What is Chevrotin Cheese made of?

Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged 21+ days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous.