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What Does Brie Taste Like? Does Brie Cheese Taste Good?


Being new to the cheese world can be overwhelming. So, let’s start with one of the most uncomplicated and delicious cheeses: brie cheese. In today’s food guide, we’ll ask questions like “what is brie cheese?” and “what does brie cheese taste like?”. If you’re set on becoming a cheese expert, continue reading below.

brie cheese on top of the cutting board

What Is Brie Cheese?

Brie cheese is a type of soft French cheese. Although Brie is now produced internationally, authentic Brie is only found in France. More specifically, in the region of Brie, where the cheese was first made.

Brie cheese comes from cow’s milk or goat’s milk. It has an off-white color with a powdery and dusty rind. It’s usually sold in slices, but you can also buy a whole wheel of brie. Aside from plain Brie, there are also other variations of this creamy cheese, such as herbed Brie, double, and triple cream Brie.

Authentic French brie cheese is hard to find in most grocery stores. This is because of strict importation laws. However, the French devised a way to sell a stabilized variation of brie cheese. You can buy this type of French brie cheese in supermarkets. 

These variations pass regulations faster and last longer. There are also many companies producing brie cheese straight from the United States. Nowadays, you can find brie cheese anywhere, making it a staple addition to your pantry.

How Is Brie Made?

Brie cheese is relatively easy to make and has a shorter maturity time. To make traditional brie cheese, the process starts with heating raw cow milk. However, in the United States, it’s required by law to use pasteurized milk. 

After heating the cow’s milk, farmers add a bacteria starter and rennet. The rennet acts as a coagulant for the cheese. Afterward, they let the cow’s milk sit for some time to allow the separation of the curds and whey.

Then they collect the curds and pour them into molds. They add the cheese culture, and the waiting process begins. Brie cheese needs to sit in a cool environment and age for at least 4 to 6 weeks. This gives the cheese enough time to form the rind. It also helps achieve that creamy texture and gooey interiors.

Different Ways to Use Brie

Brie cheese is one of the best soft cheeses available. Its subtle yet buttery flavor works with almost any ingredient. There are many different ways to use brie cheese. Here are some examples of how you can enjoy brie cheese at the dinner table:

Appetizers

The best way to eat brie cheese is to serve it on its own. If you’re having a big dinner, we recommend buying a wheel of brie cheese for your guests. They’re great appetizers, and you can serve them in uniform slices. You can also let your guests cut their own pieces.

Charcuterie Board

If you want to take it to the next level, you can make the Brie the center of your charcuterie board. If there’s anything better than brie cheese, it’s brie cheese paired with fruits and meat. We highly recommend cold cuts like salami or prosciutto and fruits like figs or grapes. 

Cheese Dip

Brie cheese tastes like heaven when it’s baked. The ultra-creamy texture and gooey cheese is the perfect dip for chips, biscuits, meats, or fruits. To bake your brie cheese, simply cut the top of the rind. And then, place in a roasting pan and bake in an oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Use Brie Cheese in Cooking

There are many ways to infuse brie cheese into your cooking. But one of our favorite ways of doing it is adding it to a simple spaghetti recipe. 

You’ve probably seen a trending video of someone cooking pasta in a wheel of brie cheese. The good news is that you can do this at home. Here’s a quick and easy brie pasta recipe:

You’ll need:

  • 1 brie cheese wheel (approx. 35 ounces)
  • 1 pound spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • Chopped parsley
  • Red chili flakes
  • Grated parmesan

Directions:

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Cut off the top rind of the brie cheese and place the cheese on a skillet or roasting pan.
  3. Bake the Brie for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and bubbled.
  4. Add salted water to a pot and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
  5. Drain the pasta and save at least 1 cup of pasta water for later.
  6. Coat the pasta with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and parmesan while it’s still hot.
  7. Remove the Brie from the oven and immediately toss the pasta to coat it evenly on the cheese.
  8. If the cheese is too thick, add some pasta water.
  9. Garnish with extra salt, pepper, chili flakes, parsley, or parmesan cheese.
  10. Serve pasta while hot.

Is Brie an Acquired Taste?

Yes, brie cheese is an acquired taste. The taste of brie cheese may not appeal to everyone. It can taste underwhelming if you’re tasting an underripe brie. If this happens, we recommend getting fresh Brie at its ripeness peak.

Even then, some people find the aroma and taste unappetizing. Brie can appear bland to others. For some, it can come off too strong. When tasting Brie, we suggest trying small cuts at a time and pairing it with bread or cured meats.

What Does Brie Taste Like?

If brie cheese is an acquired taste, how should you set your expectations? What does Brie taste like to the unfamiliar tongue? Let’s explore the subtle yet complex flavors of this soft ripened brie cheese.

When you cut open brie cheese, it has a soft, creamy, and runny interior. It also has a strong earthy aroma that quickly greets the nose. Regarding flavor, brie cheese tastes like rich butter. But it has fruity and earthy flavors as well.

The rind is edible and considered a delicacy. It’s a product of natural mold growth and has a soft, chewy, and sweet texture. The rind is essential because it helps break down the cheese. More so, it gives it’s signature runny consistency once it’s baked.

What Does Brie Taste Similar To?

Brie cheese isn’t the only type of soft cheese, so it’s bound to have similarities with others. But how does brie cheese taste compared to other kinds of cheese? There’s only one other type of cheese similar to brie cheese.

Camembert cheese is the closest cheese you have to brie cheese. They are identical even in looks. The only difference is that Camembert is often sold in wheels rather than slices. It also has a smooth texture, creamy, and butter-like softness.

Regarding the flavor, Camembert tastes like brie cheese. But Camembert has hints of mushroom, grassy, and garlicky flavors. The aroma also comes off stronger compared to Brie.

Different Types of Brie and Their Taste

As we mentioned earlier, there are different types of brie cheese that you can buy at the grocery store. You might ask again, “So what does brie cheese taste like?” Here are 5 different answers:

Brie de Meaux

This type of brie cheese was first produced during the French revolution. It originated from the town of Meaux hence the name. It’s also known as the “Queen’s Cheese” or “Queen of Cheeses.” They produce Meaux cheese in large wheels that weigh at least 6 pounds. It has a very mild cheese flavor and texture resembling brie cheese. 

Brie de Melun

Brie de Melun is a smaller version of the Meaux. This cheese only weighs around 3 pounds. Despite its small size, it packs a more robust flavor than the Meaux. When you cut a slice, the scent is more intense with creamy and nutty aromas. The flavors are more intense, with a distinct earthy and buttery flavor. 

Brie Noir

Brie noir happens when you let brie cheese sit for longer than 6 weeks. Its rind and interiors are darker in color, the aroma is more distinct, and the taste stronger. It has an earthy flavor with a funky aftertaste. Brie noir may appear too strong for people trying brie cheese for the first time.

Double and Triple Creme Brie

Double and triple creme brie is like brie cheese. The only difference is that they have higher butterfat content. Double brie cheese needs at least 60% butterfat, while triple creme brie cheese needs 75%. These types of brie cheese are creamier and have more buttery cheese than regular brie cheese. 

Herbed Brie

Herbed Brie is just plain brie cheese but with added herbs and spices. They are often sold as flavored brie cheese in most grocery stores. They taste the same as regular Brie except with the added aroma or flavor from the spices. The most common herbs are rosemary, thyme, and garlic.

What Does Brie Taste Good With?

Brie cheese is versatile, so it goes with almost any dish. So, what does Brie taste good with? Whether it be toppings or added as the main ingredient, here are 5 recipes that taste excellent with Brie:

Baked Goods

People often say that brie cheese is best when it’s baked. You can bake it on its own or add it to other dishes. Brie cheese tastes delicious with meat pies, lasagna, or puff pastries. Savory flavors work well with the saltiness of the cheese, especially tomatoes. 

Casseroles

Another way to serve brie cheese is to add it to casseroles. Since Brie tastes like butter, you can achieve the same creaminess. It tastes great with plain vegetables like broccoli or potatoes. You can also pair it with beef or chicken.

Sandwiches

Brie cheese also makes the best grilled sandwiches. Cut a slice of Brie and place it between two pieces of buttered toast. If you want extra flavor, we recommend adding other types of cheese. Cheeses that taste great with Brie are cheddar, mozzarella, or gruyere cheese.

Pasta

This list won’t be complete without pasta. Like the recipe mentioned earlier, you can use Brie cheese to coat your pasta. The best pasta to use is spaghetti or fettuccine pasta. This is because the noodles cling to the cheese better. You can also opt to use Brie as chunks when garnishing.

Pizza

Since brie cheese tastes delicious with mozzarella, it’s only logical to add it to pizza. It doesn’t have the stringy texture of mozzarella, but it gives the pizza a creamy and gooey layer. The saltiness of the cheese also compliments the heavy tomato sauce. For added cheesy flavors, we also recommend adding gorgonzola cheese to the mix.

How Do You Preserve Brie?

Brie cheeses need to breathe, except if you buy them whole. To extend the cheese’s shelf life, wrap it loosely in the original packaging. You can also opt for wax paper or parchment paper. Covering it tightly will trap the air inside and cause mold to grow.

Remember that once you cut brie cheese, it stops aging. After using the cheese, wrap it in aluminum foil or parchment paper. And then keep it in a container to store in the fridge.

When storing brie cheese, you can keep it in your fridge for at least 2 weeks. You can take it out whenever you need to serve the cheese. Don’t forget to let the cheese reach room temperature before serving. For a small wheel of brie cheese, this should take at least 1 hour.

You can also opt to freeze the brie cheese. Ensure that it’s placed in an airtight container and can last in your freezer for 3 months. Defrosted brie cheese will have a difference in flavor, so we suggest only adding it to recipes.

Brie cheese can go bad, so make sure to watch out for any signs of spoilage. Mold on Brie will look gray, green, or black. Usually, when it’s “dry” cheese like parmesan, you can cut the moldy part and throw it away. However, with “wet” cheeses, you have to assume it’s already contaminated.

Another sign of brie spoilage is if it starts smelling too sour, tangy, or like ammonia. If it doesn’t have its usual scent, we recommend throwing it away and getting a new wheel of cheese. You can never be too careful when ensuring your cheese’s freshness.

Brie Cheese Nutrition Facts

An ounce of brie cheese contains around 100 calories. It’s rich in fat, protein, and various nutrients. Brie only has saturated fat. This is generally considered unhealthy. But as long as you only consume moderate amounts, it shouldn’t be harmful.

Brie cheese also has the same protein content as a single egg. It also contains vitamin B12 and riboflavin. Both of these nutrients are important for keeping up our metabolism.

Health Benefits of Brie

Since brie cheese is rich in fat and protein, it helps us feel full and satisfied. As an indirect result, it may help with metabolism and weight loss. Brie is also low in calories, so as long as it’s consumed in moderation, it should be a great addition to your diet.

Vitamins B12 and riboflavin can also help in maintaining energy levels. Brie cheese is also a whole-fat dairy, which may help bone and heart health. Remember that the key here is mindful eating. Having a slice of Brie every now and then won’t hurt.

Final Thought

Brie cheese is a type of soft cheese specially produced in France. There are many variations of Brie. This includes Brie de Meaux, Brie de Melun, and Brie noir. Other specialty Brie is double and triple cream brie and herbed brie cheese.

Brie cheese has an off-white rind and mild earthy aroma. It has a smooth texture, and creamy, buttery interiors that are very runny when it melts. Brie cheese tastes nutty, fruity, and earthy tones. It also has a slightly sweet aftertaste.

The best part about brie cheese is that you can pair it with anything. Feel free to serve it as appetizers, on cheese boards, or as a dip. It also works great with sandwiches, baked goods, and pizza.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Long Does Brie Last?

Brie cheese can last 2 weeks in the fridge if it’s stored properly. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months, but we don’t recommend this. This is because the flavor changes drastically once you freeze Brie.

How Will You Know If Brie Has Gone Bad?

There are two signs to look out for in spoiled Brie: mold growth and the smell. Harmful mold will be gray, green, or black in color. They often appear as spots across the rinds. Spoiled brie cheese will also have a solid funky smell similar to ammonia.

Which Cheese Tastes Closest To The Flavor Of Brie?

Camembert cheese is the closest to brie cheese regarding looks, texture, and flavor. The differences are that Camembert is bigger and has more intense aromas and tastes.

Why Does Brie Have A Strong Smell?

Brie cheese has a strong smell, but it’s not overwhelming. Fresh Brie should have an earthy, slightly funky, and sweet aroma. It may also have traces of milky scents.

Can Brie Help With Weight Loss?

Brie cheese may help with weight loss as long as it’s consumed moderately. An ounce of cheese only has 100 calories and has lots of protein. It makes you feel fuller and more satisfied due to its fat content.

Can You Eat The Rind Of Brie?

Yes, you can eat the rind of brie cheese. It’s considered edible and a delicacy, especially in France.

Should The Rind Be Removed Before Baking Brie?

There’s no need to remove the rind before baking brie cheese. This will actually help keep the cheese together.

Why Does Brie Taste Like Ammonia?

Brie cheese will only taste like ammonia if it’s spoiled. When checking the cheese, always ask, “what does brie taste like?” Fresh Brie should always be creamy, buttery, and slightly sweet.

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Natalia | Flavorful home
Natalia is a recipe developer, food photographer, and home cook. She started Flavorful Home to document her recipes and share home cooking tips. She loves creating flavorful and nutritious meals while keeping the cooking process simple and joyful!
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