Brie Cheese vs Exmoor Blue Cheese
Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk.
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 Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a full-fat soft blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurized Jersey cow’s milk in Devon and Somerset, England. It has a rich yellow color and a buttery texture, with an average fat content of 34%. The cheese has been handmade on Willet Farm since 1986, using traditional methods. It undergoes a maturation period of 3 to 6 weeks, during which it is regularly turned and treated with Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium candidum to develop its distinctive blue veining. The lush pasture of the region, influenced by the warm, wet climate and red sandstone soil, contributes to the rich flavor of the milk used in production.
What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized)
- Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Treated with Penicillium candidum)
- Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Brie | Devon And Somerset, England |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Bloomy | Treated with Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | At least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Nutty, Mushroom | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. 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 Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Brie Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over.
Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie Cheese the same as Exmoor Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brie Cheese is typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir, Exmoor Blue Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Brie Cheese similar to Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.
Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.
Does Brie Cheese taste like Exmoor Blue 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's typically aged at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir. It originates in France.
What is Exmoor Blue Cheese made of?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks.
Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.