Brie Cheese vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese

Brie Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.

What's the Difference Between Brie Cheese and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

• Milk type: Brie Cheese (cow's milk), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
• Milk treatment: Brie Cheese (Raw, Pasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Brie Cheese (Soft), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
• Rind: Brie Cheese (Bloomy), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
• Aging: Brie Cheese (at least 4 to 5 weeks; several months to a year for brie noir), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brie Cheese Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.

Can You Substitute Brie Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

Brie Cheese can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 semi-soft.

Which Is Better, Brie Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brie Cheese the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brie Cheese is made from cow milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.

Is Brie Cheese similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brie Cheese for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

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

Does Brie Cheese taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine 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 Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?

Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Brie Cheese or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie Cheese is soft, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.