Brie rose to prominence as a royal favorite<\/strong> during the reign of King Louis XIV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe growth of these cheeses parallels the rise of cheesemaking in Europe. Both blue cheese and brie offer centuries of tradition<\/strong>, which modern cheesemakers uphold through meticulous processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>How Blue Cheese and Brie Are Made<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe production of blue cheese and brie differs<\/strong> notably in ingredients, mold cultures, and techniques. Here's an overview of how each type achieves its distinct qualities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Ingredients<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese<\/strong> uses cow's, goat's or sheep's milk<\/strong>. Sheep's milk adds robust funk while goat's milk lends tang. Cow's milk offers a milder flavor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brie begins with cow's milk<\/strong> to achieve its butter-rich notes. Cream is sometimes added<\/strong> to boost the fat content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Mold Cultures<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese<\/strong> depends on Penicillium roqueforti or glaucum molds<\/strong> introduced into the curds or injected into the body. This creates blue-green veining and pungent flavor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- For brie<\/strong>, Penicillium camemberti<\/strong> is spray-inoculated onto the rind<\/strong>. As it grows, it ripens the cheese<\/strong> from the outside in for subtle earthiness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Cheesemaking Steps<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese<\/strong> curds are mixed with mold spores<\/strong>, then pressed into wheels<\/strong> to incubate. Needles<\/strong> may inject extra oxygen<\/strong> to feed mold growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brie begins with a firm, chalky interior<\/strong>. As white mold develops on the rind<\/strong>, the interior ripens to a luscious creaminess<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The specialized mold cultures remain the crucial distinction<\/strong> between blue and brie. Their strategic use during cheesemaking results in dramatically different visual and tasting experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Key Characteristics of Blue Cheese vs. Brie<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFrom first glance to first bite, blue cheese and brie bear little resemblance beyond their creamy textures. Here's how they compare in terms of appearance, aroma, texture<\/strong> and flavor<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Appearance<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese<\/strong> has blue-green veins<\/strong> radiating through a white to yellow interior<\/strong>. Some varieties are speckled while others appear more marbled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brie<\/strong> boasts a bloomy white rind<\/strong> wrapping a pale yellow interior<\/strong>. Young brie has a chalky center that softens with age.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Aroma<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese<\/strong> smells robust, sharp and peppery<\/strong> - sometimes almost musty. This comes from the mold and aging.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brie has a mild mushroom-like aroma<\/strong>. At peak ripeness, some ammonia aromas<\/strong> emerge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Texture<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese ranges from crumbly to creamy<\/strong>. Age reduces crumbliness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brie starts firm and becomes oozy<\/strong>, ultimately oozing like gelato<\/strong>. The rind remains velvety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Flavor<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Blue cheese tastes tangy, salty and spicy<\/strong> with blue mold notes<\/strong>. It can be richly beefy or evoke fresh grass and herbs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brie tastes mellow, nutty and buttery<\/strong> with subtle earthiness<\/strong>. Notes of honey, vanilla or nuts may come through.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Clearly, the intensities differ dramatically<\/strong> - blue cheese is a flavor powerhouse compared to brie's finesse. But both impart sophistication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Pairing Suggestions for Blue Cheese vs Brie<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe boldness of blue cheese and the restraint of brie call for different pairings to bring out their best:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Blue Cheese Pairings<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Fruit<\/strong> like pears, apples or figs<\/strong> balances blue cheese's saltiness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nuts<\/strong> like walnuts or pecans<\/strong> add crunch and complement the moldy flavors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sweet wines<\/strong> like Port, Sauternes or ice wine<\/strong> work beautifully with the intensity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hearty breads<\/strong> stand up to the crumbles without competing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Brie Pairings<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n- Stone fruits<\/strong>, fresh berries<\/strong> or preserves<\/strong> accent brie's creamy texture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Crackers or baguette slices<\/strong> serve as neutral yet sturdy vessels for lush brie.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sparkling wines<\/strong> and crisp whites<\/strong> like Chardonnay pair nicely without overpowering.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Herbs and nuts<\/strong> bring out brie's subtle earthiness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Mild, sweet and bright flavors<\/strong> tend to balance brie best. For blue cheese's verve, go bold or go home<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Is blue cheese just moldy brie?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, blue cheese and brie use different Penicillium mold cultures strategically during cheesemaking. Blue cheese is inoculated throughout while brie's rind is surface-ripened. So blue cheese isn't just a moldier brie - the flavors develop very differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Is one healthier than the other?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNot significantly. Both are high in fat, sodium and cholesterol as full-fat cheeses. Brie has slightly more calcium while blue cheese has a bit more protein. But they're both considered equally indulgent options, to enjoy in moderation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What wine matches both blue cheese and brie?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSparkling wines like Champagne or Prosecco pair nicely with either, acting as a palate cleanser between bites. Light, acidic white wines also complement both flavors. Unless you dislike strong mold flavors, sweeter wines specifically suit bold blue cheese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Should blue cheese be served cold or room temp?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nRoom temperature allows the nuanced flavors of blue cheese to shine. The chill of refrigeration suppresses its aroma and taste. Let it warm up before eating for the full experience. Brie is also best around room temp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Which cheese has a stronger smell?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBlue cheese has an undeniably stronger aroma than brie. The ammonia released especially by potent blues can be off-putting at first sniff. Brie has an earthy musk but doesn't typically approach blue's pungency. For some, this makes brie more approachable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBlue cheese<\/strong> brings bold, funky flavor<\/strong> punched up by Penicillium mold<\/strong> patterns. Its crumbly fissures<\/strong> in sharp white<\/strong> contrast the pop of blue veining<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBrie<\/strong> delights with velvety richness<\/strong> thanks to surface ripening<\/strong> that progresses inward. Its subtle earthiness<\/strong> blooms within a snowy rind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Cheese connoisseurs often ponder the complex question - how does the king of stinky cheeses, blue cheese, compare to the refined elegance of brie? Blue cheese is loved and feared for its intense flavor, crumbly texture, and vein-streaked appearance. Brie gains popularity for its silky richness and subtle earthiness encased in a bloomy rind. A […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":56684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[301,304],"tags":[],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56654"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56654"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56654\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58259,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56654\/revisions\/58259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56654"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56654"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aglassandahalffullproductions.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}