Frederic Melton
While many people eat brie with the rind intact, some find its taste and texture unappetizing and may want to remove it. The rind is completely edible, but if you're one of those people who don't enjoy it, here's how you can remove it: First, wrap the brie tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to let it harden. Then, take it out of the freezer and use a serrated knife to slice off the top, bottom, and sides. Finally, use your fingers to pry off the rind, peeling it off like an orange. It's important to note that removing the rind from a communal brie cheese at an event or party is considered rude, as it ruins the cheese experience for others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Edibility of Brie rind | Edible |
| Reasons for rind removal | Taste, texture |
| Freezing time | Minimum 30 minutes |
| Tools | Serrated knife, plastic wrap, freezer, fingernail, waxed/parchment paper, potato peeler |
| Cutting technique | Slice off top, bottom, and sides |
| Post-cutting technique | Pry up loosened rind, peel, let it come to room temperature, bake |
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What You'll Learn
It's edible, but some dislike its taste and texture
Although the rind of Brie cheese is edible, some may dislike its taste and texture. If you are serving Brie to guests, it is important to consider that some people may be turned off by the rind.
The rind of Brie cheese is formed by inoculating the cheese with edible mould, which is then patted down repeatedly by cheesemakers. This process is tedious and labour-intensive, but it is done to create a product that can be enjoyed as a whole. However, some people still prefer to remove the rind before consuming the cheese.
One reason for this preference may be the texture of the rind. The soft and gooey cheese tends to stick to the rind, making it challenging to remove without taking some of the cheese with it. This can result in an uneven and unappealing presentation, especially when serving a communal Brie.
Additionally, personal taste preferences play a role. Some people may find the flavour of the rind unpalatable or simply prefer the taste of the cheese without it. When serving Brie, it is essential to respect the preferences of your guests and consider the impact of removing the rind on their dining experience.
If you are serving Brie to a group, it is recommended to leave the rind intact to ensure that everyone can enjoy the cheese as they prefer. Removing the rind from a communal Brie can be considered impolite, as it alters the cheese for those who may have wanted to enjoy it with the rind. It is similar to removing the crust from a pizza or a slice of someone's birthday cake. Therefore, it is generally advised to leave the rind intact when serving Brie to a group, allowing individuals to decide whether to consume it or not.
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Freezing the cheese makes rind removal easier
Many people enjoy eating the rind of Brie cheese, but some find its taste and texture unappealing. The rind can be difficult to remove without taking half of the cheese with it. Freezing the cheese is an effective way to make rind removal easier.
To begin the process of removing the rind from Brie cheese, wrap the cheese in plastic and place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Freezing the cheese hardens the texture, making it less sticky and easier to handle. Once the cheese is frozen, you can proceed to cut and peel away the rind.
After removing the cheese from the freezer, use a serrated knife to slice off the top, bottom, and sides of the cheese, taking care to cut along the edges. As you cut, gently pull the sides of the rind away from the cheese bit by bit. You can use your fingernail to pry up any part of the rind that seems loose, and then continue peeling it off like an orange.
If you find that the cheese is still too soft or difficult to work with, you can always return it to the freezer for an additional 15-20 minutes to harden further. It is important to note that freezing the cheese may affect its texture and flavour, so it is recommended to bring it back to room temperature before serving.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove the rind from Brie cheese while it is frozen. This method ensures a cleaner separation between the cheese and the rind, making it easier to discard the rind and serve the cheese with a smoother texture.
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Use a serrated knife to slice off the top and bottom
To remove the rind from brie cheese, you can use a serrated knife to slice off the top and bottom. First, wrap the brie tightly in plastic wrap to protect it from freezer burn and maintain its texture and flavour. Place the wrapped cheese in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to harden it, which will make removing the rind easier.
Once the cheese is firm, take it out of the freezer and remove the plastic wrap. Place the brie on a cutting board and use a serrated knife to slice off the top. After making the cut, use your fingers to gently pry off the rind. If the brie is sufficiently firm, removing the top rind should be straightforward.
You can then slice off the bottom rind in a similar manner. Stand the brie on one of its circular ends and use the serrated knife to cut off the other end. Once the cut is made, use your fingers to remove the rind.
If the brie is still soft and difficult to slice, return it to the freezer for another 30 minutes to harden further. This process ensures that you can remove the rind without wasting the creamy cheese underneath.
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Pry off the rind with your fingers or fingernail
Freezing the brie is a good way to make it easier to remove the rind. Wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap to protect it from freezer burn and maintain its flavour and texture. Place the wrapped cheese in the freezer for at least 30 minutes—the minimum time needed to firm it up. If you have more time, you can leave it in the freezer for a few hours or even overnight.
Once the brie is firm, take it out of the freezer and remove the plastic wrap. If the cheese is still soft, return it to the freezer for another 30 minutes. When the brie is firm, place it on a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to slice off the top, bottom, and sides of the cheese.
Now, use your fingers or fingernail to pry off the rind. If the brie is firm, the rind should come off easily. Start by prying up any part of the rind that seems loosest with your fingernail, then peel off the rest of the rind, just like you would peel an orange.
Make sure to only remove the white, dry rind and be careful not to remove too much of the creamy cheese. You can also use a knife to scrape off any remaining bits of the rind.
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Don't do this with communal Brie—cut a wedge instead
When it comes to communal Brie, it's important to be considerate of other guests and avoid causing a "disproportionate cheese experience". Instead of cutting into the cheese and leaving the rind behind, take a small wedge that includes both the rind and the paste (the inside of the cheese). This way, you're not declaring that "your needs are more important than everyone else's".
Imagine a pizza with the crust removed from one slice, leaving an uneven and unsatisfactory experience for whoever is left with the crustless slice. The same principle applies to a birthday cake; scooping out the middle and leaving the rind is akin to taking a slice of cake without the frosting. It's essential to respect the cheese and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy it.
When serving yourself from a communal Brie, use a serrated knife to cut a thin slice or wedge, radiating out from the centre, parallel to the previous slice. This way, you maintain the structural integrity of the cheese and allow others to enjoy it as well. Once you have your own plate with your slice of Brie, you can choose to eat the rind or not.
Remember, the cheesemaker has spent time and effort crafting the rind, and it's meant to be eaten alongside the paste. However, if you truly dislike the rind, you can discreetly remove it from your slice without affecting the communal cheese. Freezing the cheese before slicing can make it easier to remove the rind, but this technique is more suitable for individual portions rather than a communal wheel of Brie.
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Frequently asked questions
While many people eat the rind of Brie cheese, you can remove it by placing the cheese in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Once it is firm, use a serrated knife to slice off the top, bottom, and sides. Then, use your fingers to pry off the rind.
Some people believe that removing the rind from a communal Brie cheese is inconsiderate because it ruins the cheese experience for other people.
No, the rind of Brie cheese is completely edible and can be eaten along with the cheese.
Brie cheese is soft and gooey, which causes it to stick to the rind. As a result, when trying to remove the rind, you might end up removing half of the cheese as well.
To make the rind easier to remove, wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. You can also try prying up the loosest part of the rind with your fingernail and then peeling off the rest.
