Randy Chandler
Brie cheese is called the king of cheeses and is one of the most sought-after cheeses in the USA. It traditionally comes from France, but nowadays, there are many Brie cheese brands available in the market. Some of the best brands of Brie cheese include Supreme Brie, Président Brie, Trader Joe's double cream Brie, Fromager d'Affinois, and Marin French Cheese Co. Each brand offers unique characteristics in terms of texture, flavour, and aroma, providing a range of options for consumers to choose from.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Brie cheese traditionally comes from France. |
| Texture | The best brie cheese is soft, creamy, and a little funky. |
| Taste | Mild, nutty, mushroomy, buttery, tangy, earthy, complex. |
| Brands | Supreme, Fromager d'Affinois, Trader Joe's, Président, Marin French Cheese Co., Emporium Selection, Schroeder Käse, MT Alice, Von Trapp Family Farms, Brie Fermier, Moses Sleeper, Cowgirl Creamery, La Tur, Brillat-Savarin, Delice de Bourgogne, Saint Angel, Murray's, Sequatchie Cove, Carrboro, Walden, Fromager d'Affinois Le Fromager, Ile de France, Dorothy's Comeback Cow, Alouette, Boar's Head, Good & Gather. |
| Serving suggestions | On its own, in a sandwich, baked, on a charcuterie board, with honey, apples, pecans, or apricots. |
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What You'll Learn
Brie cheese from the US
While Brie cheese traditionally comes from France, there are some great options available from the US. Supreme Brie, for example, is made in Lena, Illinois, and has a super fresh, mild flavour and a rich, creamy texture.
If you're looking for a more complex flavour, Fromager d'Affinois is a great choice. This brand offers a wide variety of flavoured cheeses, including a unique and delicious mushroomy quality to the rind and a subtle nuttiness.
For a classic, mild flavour, Président Brie is widely available in US grocery stores and has a slightly more mushroomy and funky taste than other mild options.
Other popular US brands include Trader Joe's, which offers Truffle Brie and Wild Mushroom Brie, and Schroeder Käse Triple Creme Brie from Rewey, Wisconsin.
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Brie cheese from France
Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese that originated in the French region of Brie (corresponding to the modern-day Seine-et-Marne département). The French government only officially certifies two types of brie: brie de Meaux and brie de Melun. Brie de Meaux, also known as the "queen of cheeses", has been produced in the town of Meaux since the 8th century and was eaten by all social classes. It was granted Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) status in 1980. Brie de Melun, on the other hand, has a stronger flavour and a more pungent smell as it is made with unpasteurised milk. It is also available in the form of "Old Brie" or "black brie".
Some well-known brands of French brie include:
- Marin French Cheese Co.: Their Petite Breakfast Brie is a teeny, tiny wheel of brie with no rind. It is firm and mild, almost closer to provolone than a typical brie.
- Isigny Ste Mere: This brand was included in a taste test by Sporked.com.
- Fromager d'Affinois: This brand was recommended by Tasting Table for its complex flavour profile, including notes of fresh milk dairy and a subtle nuttiness.
- President: This brand was included in taste tests by both Tasting Table and Sporked.com. Tasting Table describes it as having a "mushroomy and funky" flavour.
Other brands of French brie include Brie de Meaux Fermier AOP Edmond de Rothschild Heritage and Brie Noir (meaning "black brie" in French).
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Creamy and mild brie
When it comes to creamy and mild brie, there are several options to choose from. While brie cheese traditionally comes from France, there are also some well-liked American brands. For instance, Trader Joe's offers a creamy and mild brie log that pairs well with crackers. However, it is recommended to eat the rind along with the cheese. Another option is the Emporium Selection Soft Ripened Double Cream Brie, also known as Aldi brie cheese. This variety is praised for its mild flavor and lack of funk, making it a good choice for those who want a subtle-tasting cheese.
If you're looking for a lighter and fresher take on creamy and mild brie, Président Brie might be a good option. While it's described as a mild brie, some have found it to have a slightly more mushroomy and funky flavor compared to other mild options. Moving on to French options, the Marin French Cheese Co. offers a unique Petite Breakfast Brie that is firm and mild, resembling provolone more than a typical brie. This variety stands out for its absence of rind, making it a curious choice for those looking for something different.
For those who enjoy the rind, Fromager d'Affinois offers a range of flavored cheeses, including a classic le fromager. While it has a complex flavor profile with notes of fresh milk and a subtle nuttiness, it also delivers a mushroomy quality to the rind. If you're seeking a brie-like cheese that's a little different, Saint Marcellin is a soft French cheese served at room temperature with crusty bread. It usually comes in a clay crock and has a unique, small-scale artisan character.
Lastly, for a truly mild and salty experience, Saint André Triple Crème Brie is an intriguing choice. Made from cow's milk, it has a crumbly texture and a mild flavor. This variety is excellent for sprinkling over salads or roasted vegetables, adding a creamy and salty touch to your dishes. These options showcase the versatility of creamy and mild bries, offering something for every taste preference and culinary application.
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Funky brie
If you're looking for a funkier variety of Brie, there are several options to consider. While the best brie cheese is often said to be soft, creamy, and just a little funky, there are some varieties that offer a more pronounced flavour profile.
For a funkier Brie experience, you might want to try Président Brie. This variety is described as having a more mushroomy and funky flavour compared to other Bries. It adds a touch of complexity to your cheese selection without being too overpowering.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could also explore Brie-adjacent cheeses, such as Saint Marcellin. This soft French cheese, best served at room temperature with crusty bread, offers a unique taste experience. Another option is the Petite Breakfast Brie from the Marin French Cheese Co., which is a firm cheese with a mild flavour. While it may be closer to Provolone in taste, its unique qualities make it a fun addition to any cheese board.
For those who want a truly funky experience, Murray's Cheese offers a ripened version of their cheese called Greensward, which is sure to satisfy your craving for something a little different. If you're looking for a funkier Brie to bake with, the oven-ready baked Brie from Emporium Selection is a great choice. It has a tangy flavour with a hint of extra funk that will elevate your baked Brie dishes.
Lastly, for a classic Brie with a twist, Trader Joe's offers a variety of options, including their Wild Mushroom Brie, which adds a fun twist to your traditional Brie experience.
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Brie-style cheeses
While traditional Brie cheeses are produced in the Brie region of northern France, there are many other Brie-style cheeses available. These cheeses are known for their rich, creamy flavours and pungent aroma profiles. Here are some of the best Brie-style cheeses:
La Tur
La Tur is an Italian cheese with a bloomy rind and a wrinkly cupcake-like appearance. It has a unique flavour and is recommended by cheese experts.
Brillat-Savarin
This French triple-cream cheese is described as having a larger format, with a full pound per wheel. It is named after the eccentric food lover Brillat-Savarin, who famously said, "Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you who you are." It is said to be soft, a little pungent, and great for parties.
Délice de Bourgogne
This cheese is a smaller-format version of Brillat-Savarin, offering a bigger rind-to-paste ratio for those who enjoy the texture of the rind. It is widely available and can be found at local grocers.
Fromager d'Affinois Le Fromager
Fromager d'Affinois is a brand that offers a wide variety of flavoured cheeses. Their Le Fromager cheese is a great entry point to the brand, with a complex flavour profile including notes of fresh milk dairy, a mushroomy rind, and a subtle nuttiness.
Saint Marcellin
Saint Marcellin is a soft French cheese that is best served at room temperature with crusty bread. It usually comes in a small clay crock and is a great Brie-style option.
Walden
Walden is a lightly washed cheese from Tennessee-based Sequatchie Cove. It has a hint of funk that pairs well with its grassy, mild, and gooey cow's milk texture. It has a thin rind that provides a perfect bite, evoking the beautiful mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.
In addition to these Brie-style cheeses, there are also some unique variations worth trying, such as the Petite Breakfast Brie from the Marin French Cheese Co., which is a firm, rindless cheese, and the Supreme Brie from the United States, which offers a fresh and mild flavour.
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