Kamil Perry
Brie cheese is a soft-ripened French cheese with a creamy texture and rich flavour. It is typically wrapped in paper or a similar material to protect it during transportation and storage. The paper on brie cheese is not meant to be eaten and can affect the taste and texture of the cheese. This is how you remove the paper from brie cheese: turn the brie around to find where the paper overlaps, then slide a butter knife between the two layers of paper. Pry it upwards to rip the paper off the brie, and gently pull the paper away from the cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of paper wrapping | Protects the cheese from external factors, maintains its flavor and texture, prevents moisture loss and mold growth |
| Paper edibility | Not meant to be eaten, can affect the taste and texture of the cheese |
| Removing the paper | Find the seam where the paper wraps around the cheese, insert a butter knife between the layers and pry upwards to rip the paper off, gently pull the paper away from the cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Brie cheese paper is not edible
While the rind of a Brie cheese is edible, the paper wrapping is not. The paper is simply there to protect the cheese and should be removed before eating.
To remove the paper from a Brie cheese, first put the cheese on a plate to prevent it from collecting crumbs or dirt. Then, turn the cheese around to find where the paper overlaps and wraps around the cheese. Slide a butter knife between the two layers of paper and pry it upwards to rip the paper off. If the paper is glued to the cheese, use the knife to gently cut the paper away in small sections.
Once the paper has been removed, you may find a white rind on the outside of the cheese. This rind is completely edible and safe to eat. In fact, it is recommended to eat the rind, as it is meant to complement the cheese inside with its soft and tender texture and subtle, earthy flavor. The rind is a white mold called Penicillium candidum, which is inoculated into the cheese by cheesemakers. This mold blooms on the outside of the cheese and is then patted down repeatedly to form the rind, giving Brie its distinctive taste.
However, some people may not enjoy the taste or texture of the rind. If you do not like the flavor or texture of the rind, you can simply slice it off with a non-serrated knife. Alternatively, you can try baking the cheese, as the rind can be less appealing when cold. Baking the whole wheel of Brie in the oven for 15 minutes can create a fondue bowl, and the rind may be more enjoyable when dipped with crackers and vegetables.
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The rind of brie is edible
To remove the paper from a wheel of brie, turn the cheese around to find where the paper overlaps. Slide a butter knife between the two layers of paper, then pry it upwards to rip the paper off. If parts of the paper are stuck to the cheese, use the knife to cut the paper away in small sections.
Once you've removed the paper, you'll see the rind of the cheese. The rind of brie is edible. In fact, it's meant to be eaten along with the paste, or inside, of the cheese. The rind is formed when cheesemakers inoculate the cheese with edible mould that blooms on the outside of the paste. This mould is then patted down repeatedly to form the rind. It's a big part of the cheesemaking process, and one that takes a lot of time and labour.
Some people dislike the taste or texture of the rind, especially when it's cold. If you're not a fan of the rind, you can slice it off with a non-serrated knife before eating the rest of the cheese. However, if you're serving a group of people, it's considered poor etiquette to remove the paste from the rind. Doing so skews the ratio of rind to cheese in favour of the rind, leaving the rest of the group with a disproportionate cheese experience.
The quality of the brie can also affect the taste of the rind. Lower-quality bries tend to have less tasty rinds, while more expensive bries tend to have rinds with better flavours.
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How to remove the paper from the cheese
When it comes to Brie cheese, it is important to remove the paper wrapping before consuming the cheese. The paper is not meant to be eaten and can affect the taste and texture of the cheese. The edible rind, made of white mould called Penicillium candidum, adds a delightful earthy flavour to the cheese.
To remove the paper from the cheese, start by turning the Brie around to find where the paper overlaps. Find the seam where the paper wraps around the cheese. Gently insert a butter knife between the two layers of paper. Pry the knife upwards to rip the paper off the Brie. Be careful not to damage the cheese.
Once the paper is ripped, put the knife down and gently pull the paper away from the cheese. Unwrap the Brie. If parts of the paper are stuck to the cheese, simply use the knife to carefully cut the paper away from the cheese in small sections.
After removing the paper, the Brie cheese can be served. It is best served at room temperature. You can also wrap the cheese in pastry dough and bake it, optionally adding jam inside the dough before baking.
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Why does brie cheese have paper on it?
Brie cheese is a soft cheese that originates from the regions around Paris and has been suggested to date back to the fifth century. In 1815, it was so popular that Prince Tallyrand named it the "King of Cheese". Brie is typically covered in a rind, which is edible and often eaten. The rind has a tart taste and can be sliced off with a non-serrated knife. When served cold, the rind can be a little tough, so it is recommended to let the cheese come to room temperature before serving.
The cheese is often wrapped in paper to protect the rind and keep the cheese fresh. The paper can sometimes stick to the cheese, especially if it has been stored in a warm area. To remove the paper, one can slide a butter knife between the two layers of paper and gently pull the paper away from the cheese. If parts of the paper are stuck to the cheese, a knife can be used to cut the paper away in small sections.
The paper is not meant to be eaten and should be removed before serving. Once the paper is removed, the cheese can be sliced and served with crackers, baked goods, or fruit. The rind can also be baked to make a fondue bowl, creating a unique and tasty dish. Overall, the paper on Brie cheese serves a functional purpose, protecting the cheese and keeping it fresh, and can be easily removed before serving.
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How to serve brie cheese
To serve brie cheese, first remove the paper wrapping. Turn the cheese around to find the seam where the paper overlaps, then slide a butter knife between the two layers of paper. Pry upwards to rip the paper, and gently pull the paper away. If parts of the paper are stuck, use the knife to cut them away in small sections.
Next, remove the cheese from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. This will allow the cheese to soften and develop more flavour.
When serving, brie can be sliced into wedges, with or without the rind. The rind is edible and can be eaten when the cheese is cold, but it has a better flavour when baked. If you want to remove the rind, it can be sliced off with a non-serrated knife.
In terms of what to serve with brie, it is a very versatile cheese that can be paired with many things. The French traditionally serve brie with a baguette or other crusty bread, or plain crackers. It can also be paired with something acidic to bring out its texture—try fruits like apples, grapes, or pears, or sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey. For something more substantial, try unsalted pecans or candied walnuts, or a charcuterie board with multiple cheeses. The go-to beverage to pair with brie is champagne, but it also goes well with soft and fruity red wines like Pinot Noir, or acidic, herbaceous, dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc.
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Frequently asked questions
To get the paper off of Brie cheese, first, turn the Brie around to find where the paper overlaps. Then, slide a butter knife between the two layers of paper and pry it upwards to rip the paper off. Finally, gently pull the paper away from the cheese.
The paper on Brie cheese serves multiple purposes. It protects the cheese from external factors, maintains its flavour and texture, and prevents moisture loss and mould growth.
No, the paper on Brie cheese is not meant to be eaten and can affect the taste and texture of the cheese. Eating a small amount of paper from Brie cheese is unlikely to cause any harm, but it is not recommended.
The white covering on Brie cheese is an edible rind made of a white mould called Penicillium candidum. The rind adds a subtle, earthy flavour to the cheese and is meant to be enjoyed along with the creamy paste inside.
