Brie Cheese: What's In It And Why It Matters

Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a rich, buttery taste and a fruity flavour. It is produced with pasteurised and unpasteurised raw milk, with enzymes and rennet added to help the milk curdle. It is then separated into round moulds and left to rest for a week. The total maturation time for this soft cheese is four to six weeks.

Brie is best served at room temperature or warmer, making it a great option for baking, grilling, or pressing into sandwiches. It pairs well with acidic flavours like apples, grapes, or pears, and sweet sides like fig jam or honey. It can also be served with crackers, bread, or charcuterie.

Brie and fruit

Choosing the Right Brie

When selecting Brie, look for one that is ripe. A ripe Brie will have a firm outside and a slightly bouncy and resilient interior. Avoid underripe Brie, which can be stiff, and overripe Brie, which may be too creamy and runny.

Fruits to Pair with Brie

Brie is a mild and creamy cheese that pairs well with a variety of fruits. Stone fruits like peaches, figs, apricots, and plums are excellent choices, especially when in season. Their sweetness and juiciness contrast beautifully with the creamy texture of Brie. If you're looking for a simpler option, fresh berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries also complement Brie's flavour profile. Apples and pears are another classic pairing, adding a touch of tartness.

Creating Delicious Combinations

There are endless ways to combine Brie and fruit. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Baked Brie with Fruit: This is a show-stopping and easy-to-make appetizer. Simply bake a wheel of Brie in the oven until melted and top it with a fruit compote or fresh, sliced fruit. Peaches, blackberries, and apples are all excellent choices. To add a crunchy texture, top it with toasted walnuts, pecans, almonds, or macadamia nuts.
• Brie with Fruit Preserves: Try pairing Brie with different fruit preserves, such as fig jam, apricot jam, or peach jam. These sweet and tangy flavours enhance the creaminess of the Brie.
• Brie and Fruit Grilled Cheese: For a savoury and sweet combination, create a grilled cheese sandwich with Brie, sliced apples or pears, and your choice of bread. You can also add ingredients like honey, butter, or herbs such as tarragon or thyme.
• Brie with Caramelized Fruit: Caramelized plums or apples paired with baked Brie is a delicious way to welcome the colder months. The warm and juicy fruit complements the melted cheese perfectly.

Tips for Serving Brie and Fruit

• Room Temperature Brie: For the best flavour and texture, allow your Brie to come to room temperature before serving. This will make the cheese softer and more flavourful.
• Leaving the Rind On: The rind of Brie is completely edible and adds flavour to the cheese. When serving Brie and fruit, you can leave the rind on to enhance your guests' experience.
• Accompanying Foods: While Brie and fruit are the stars of the show, you can offer additional foods on the side. Crackers, crusty bread, or baguette slices are classic choices. You can also provide charcuterie options, such as cured meats or nuts, to create a more substantial spread.

Brie and crackers/bread

Brie is a soft-ripened French cheese with a rich, buttery taste and a fruity flavour. It is produced with pasteurised and unpasteurised raw milk, with added enzymes and rennet to help the raw cow's milk curdle. It is then separated into round moulds and left to rest for a week. The total maturation time is four to six weeks.

Brie is best served at room temperature or warmer, making it a great option for grilled appetisers or baked desserts. It is also delicious when grilled, baked, or melted into a panini.

When serving brie, it is best to remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes to an hour before serving. This allows the cheese to soften and enhances its flavour. It is then best to cut the cheese into wedges, rather than slices, and pair it with crusty bread or crackers.

When serving brie with crackers or bread, it is best to pair it with a crusty baguette or plain crackers that will not compete with the cheese. Flaky, crumbly loaves of bread help highlight the creaminess of the cheese.

Pumpernickel bread is a great option, as its slightly sweet-yet-sour taste complements the buttery flavour of the cheese. Toasting the pumpernickel bread adds a nice crunch and warmth to the brie. Another option is to pair brie with garlic bread!

For crackers, an herby option with rosemary, garlic, and thyme pairs well with the cheese. For a dessert option, pairing brie with gingerbread cookies, especially triple-cream brie, is a great choice. The ultra-creamy brie acts as the icing on top of the crunchy, slightly sweet gingerbread cookies.

What Else to Serve with Brie and Crackers/Bread

Brie is a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of fruits, nuts, or honey. Acidic flavours help to complement the velvety texture of the cheese. Apples, pears, grapes, and berries are great fruit options to serve with brie and crackers/bread. Fig jam or honey also pair well with the cheese.

For a more substantial pairing, nuts like unsalted pecans or candied walnuts go well with brie and crackers/bread. Adding some meat, such as prosciutto or salami, can also enhance the flavour of the brie.

Baked brie recipes

Baked brie is a simple yet impressive dish that can be served as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. The following are some ideas for baked brie recipes:

Baked Brie with Puff Pastry

This recipe involves wrapping a wheel of brie in puff pastry and baking it until the pastry is golden brown. You can add various toppings such as cranberry sauce, roasted nuts and honey, or jalapeño jelly. This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great option for entertaining.

Baked Brie with Figs

This recipe is a classic combination of flavours, featuring the mild, creamy taste of brie paired with the sweetness of figs. To make this dish, simply bake the brie until it is gooey, but still holding its form, and serve it with fresh figs. You can also add other toppings such as honey or nuts.

Baked Brie with Honey and Nuts

This recipe combines the sweetness of honey with the crunch of nuts, creating a delicious contrast of flavours and textures. You can use a variety of nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or pistachios. Simply bake the brie and top it with honey and your choice of nuts. This recipe is best served warm, straight from the oven.

Baked Brie with Apples and Walnuts

This recipe is a tasty combination of sweet and savoury flavours. To make this dish, bake the brie until it is soft and gooey, and serve it with sliced or chopped apples and walnuts. You can also add other toppings such as honey or cinnamon.

Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions add a sweet and savoury flavour to the creamy brie. To make this dish, slowly cook the onions over low heat until they are soft and caramelized, then scoop them over the baked brie. You can also add other toppings such as mushrooms or thyme.

Baked Brie with Prosciutto, Fig, and Honey Jam

This recipe combines the salty, savoury flavour of prosciutto with the sweetness of fig and honey jam. To make this dish, bake the brie and top it with shaved prosciutto, fig, and a drizzle of honey jam. You can also add other toppings such as nuts or fresh herbs.

When serving baked brie, it is important to let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the cheese to firm up slightly. It is also best served warm, as it starts to cool and firm up after about 10 to 15 minutes. Baked brie can be served with various accompaniments such as crackers, bread, fruits, or nuts.

Brie and meat

Brie is a mild, creamy, and buttery cheese that is incredibly versatile when it comes to cooking and pairing. Its subtle nuances in flavour can be enhanced by eating it with the rind, which is completely edible and becomes earthier over time. Brie is best served at room temperature or warmer, making it a great option for baking, grilling, or pressing into sandwiches.

When it comes to meat, Brie is a perfect match. Its mildness serves as an ideal canvas for the salty, smoky, and savoury flavours of meats. Here are some specific meat and brie combinations to try:

Baked Brie with Cured Meats

A classic combination of meat and cheese, baked brie can be served with an assortment of cured meats such as prosciutto, salami, and soppressata. This pairing is perfect as a pre-dinner appetiser or on a charcuterie board.

Brie and Prosciutto Pizza

For a sophisticated take on classic pizza flavours, top a tomato-garlic sauce pizza with brie, prosciutto, and briny black olives. This combination will elevate your pizza night and impress your guests.

Brie and Salami Charcuterie Board

Create a beautiful charcuterie board with brie and Italian salumi such as Genoa salami, Calabrese salami, soppressata, and coppa. The saltiness and spice of the salami will complement the creamy texture of the brie.

Steak Sandwich with Brie Cheese

A juicy steak sandwich with slices of brie, caramelised onions, and arugula is a flavourful and satisfying option. Using leftover steak or roast beef, you can create a quick, high-protein lunch that's sure to impress.

Brie and Bacon Bites

For an appetiser that's sure to be a crowd favourite, try brie and bacon bites. The salty, smoky bacon will pair perfectly with the creamy brie, creating a delicious and indulgent treat.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless when pairing brie with meat. Whether served as an appetiser, on a charcuterie board, or in a sandwich, the mild and creamy nature of brie makes it a versatile cheese that complements a wide range of meats.

Brie and drinks

Brie is a soft and creamy French cheese with a mild, buttery flavour. It is one of the world's most popular cheeses and is known as the "Queen of Cheeses". Its versatility means it can be served as an appetiser, dessert, or part of the main course.

When it comes to drinks, there are several options that pair well with brie. If you're serving alcohol, champagne is the classic choice. The bubbles and acidity of champagne can refresh the taste buds between bites of brie, enhancing the overall experience.

If you prefer wine, opt for a light to medium-bodied wine with high acidity and fruitiness to complement the cheese's creaminess. Here are some specific wine varieties that go well with brie:

• Sparkling wine: Champagne, Cava, Crémant, Prosecco, or Sekt.
• Red wine: Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Merlot, Syrah, or Zinfandel.
• White wine: Vinho Verde, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay.
• Rosé wine: Dry rosé, Provence rosé, Loire Valley rosé, or Grenache Rosé.

For a non-alcoholic option, tea is an excellent choice. Black teas such as Earl Grey and Darjeeling are recommended, as well as herbal teas like chamomile and peppermint. The tannins in the tea help cut through the richness of the brie.

Other non-alcoholic drink options include sparkling water, iced tea, and sparkling fruit juices like apple cider or grape juice.

Frequently asked questions