Brie Cheese vs Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese.
What Is Brie Cheese?
Brie is a soft cheese named after the French region from which it originated. It’s famous for its creamy interior and edible white rind. Brie has a rich, buttery flavor with hints of mushrooms and almonds. It’s often served at room temperature on cheese platters or used in cooking for its ability to add depth and creaminess to recipes.
What Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol, also known simply as Chavignol, is a cheese made from raw whole goat's milk. It originates from France and is protected under the designation of origin (PDO). The cheese is shaped like a flat cylinder and has a thin rind that can be ivory-colored with or without white or blue molds. The cheese is known for its lactic coagulation process with a small amount of rennet added. It has a fat content of at least 45% of the dry matter and a total dry matter content between 37g and 48g per cheese. The cheese is matured for at least 10 days, and a special version called "repassé" is matured in a confined atmosphere to develop a blue Penicillium mold.
What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
- Milk type: Brie Cheese (cow's milk), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Raw)
- Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie Cheese | Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Brie | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | — |
| Rind | Bloomy | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds |
| Aging | — | Minimum maturing period of 10 days |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | — |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Brie Cheese | Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Asti Spumante, Beaujolais, Belgian Blonde, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Dried Cranberries, Dried Fruit, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Gamay, Ginger, Grapes, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, Kombucha, Mangoes, Merlot, Mushrooms, Pear, Pecans, Pistachios, Port, Prosecco, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, Strawberries, Turkey, Viognier, White Burgundy | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Almonds, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Dijon Mustard, Dried Figs, German Riesling, Green Apple, Green Tea, Grüner Veltliner, Ham, Kiwi, Muscat, Prosciutto, Pumpkin, Roasted Vegetables, Salmon, Scotch, Sweet Potato | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Brie Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Brie Cheese
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Brie Cheese can stand in for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie Cheese the same as Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese is made from cow milk; Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese uses goat.
Is Brie Cheese similar to Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brie Cheese taste like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Brie Cheese made of?
Brie Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, pasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in France.
What is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese made of?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using small quantity added rennet. It's typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.
See full profiles: Brie Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese.