Brie | Everything you need to know about Brie cheese | Castello (2024)

What is Brie?

Famed for its fluffy white rind and smooth interior, Brie is a genuine delicacy of opulent splendor. Made using milk from either cows or goats, the flavor is soothing, mellow and has a suggestion of nuttiness. Subtle tones of fresh mushrooms and sautéed butter cover its profile, extending into a creamy and smooth finish. A slice of tempered Brie has a soft texture, sometimes slightly runny.

Originally from Seine-et-Marne in northern France, Brie is cherished for its impressionable character, and even graced the tables of royalty in the Middle Ages. Enhancing its surroundings like color to a painting, Brie is thought of as a complement like few other cheeses.

Often compared to Camembert, Brie is milder and has lighter tones of cream and butter, whereas Camembert holds deeper tones of mushrooms and herbs. Both are covered in iconic white mold rinds - completely edible and full of flavor.

Complement Brie with walnuts, honey and plum chutney, or melt it in the oven for a rich snack best shared with friends over a glass of wine. Enjoy it at room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator at least half an hour before serving.

How Brie is made

Achieving the right consistency and full complement of flavors is a matter of letting the cheese tend to itself. Allowing the rind to smooth and ripen the interior is crucial to the development of taste and texture.

The process begins with pasteurized or raw milk from cows, and enzymes and rennet are added to the milk, helping it coagulate and curdle. A yeast culture is also added to foster the white mold. Once the curd has formed, it is cut and ladled into molds, and excess whey is drained off. It is then carefully brined to prevent excess mold while also regulating acidity, as too much would impair the smooth flavor. The cheese then rests for a week, encouraging the rind to bloom and the nuances to enhance. Usually, Brie goes from firm to ripe in 4-5 weeks, with ripened variants displaying an almost runny consistency.

The use of raw or pasteurized milk varies depending on the type. Similarly, the use of either vegetarian or animal rennet is specific to each cheese. Organic Brie is normally pasteurized but checking the packaging or asking the cheesemonger is generally a good idea if you are unsure.

Substitutes for Brie

Whatever the recipe or occasion, if you are looking to replace Brie for something else, then soft-ripened cheeses with their cohesive and fluffy rinds give the best results.

Slightly firmer and with a stronger flavor, Camembert shares many of the same qualities found in Brie. With a taste of earthy mushrooms and a slight hint of caramelized butter, this white mold cheese could easily be mistaken for its counterpart.

A soft, delicate rind sprinkled like fine layers of powdered snow atop a creamy center makes our Castello Double Créme White worthy of self-indulgence and a great substitute for brie. Smooth, buttery and deliciously well-rounded, this white mold cheese boasts all the qualities of a creamy delight.

Brie | Everything you need to know about Brie cheese | Castello (2024)

FAQs

Brie | Everything you need to know about Brie cheese | Castello? ›

Made using milk from either cows or goats, the flavor is soothing, mellow and has a suggestion of nuttiness. Subtle tones of fresh mushrooms and sautéed butter cover its profile, extending into a creamy and smooth finish. A slice of tempered Brie has a soft texture, sometimes slightly runny.

Do you take the film off brie cheese? ›

Not only is the rind on Brie safe to eat but it may even keep out harmful organisms that could contaminate the cheese. The mold that grows on other types of cheese is not safe to eat. For example, if you have a wedge of Parmesan in your refrigerator and notice green mold growing, toss it out.

How long does brie keep out of the fridge? ›

Soft cheeses, like brie or Époisses PDO fall into the lower end of that scale. Their high moisture content, which encourages bacterial growth, means that you shouldn't leave these unrefrigerated for more than four hours.

Are you supposed to eat the casing on brie cheese? ›

Yes, the bloomy rind is completely safe to eat and even keeps the inside safe from any potentially unwanted microorganisms during production. The rind on Brie not only protects and encases the cheese – it also adds a subtle, earthy flavor. With a soft and tender texture, it is meant to complement the paste inside.

Is it rude not to eat the rind on brie? ›

Not only can you eat the rind, you should eat the rind. Technically, the rind is mold, usually Penicillium candidum, but it's good mold! The rind protects the cheese on the inside and helps to give the cheese its flavor. You're missing out on a big part of the flavor and textural experience if you do not eat the rind.

Do you eat the paper on Brie cheese? ›

Yes, the soft “crust” of brie, called a bloomy rind, is edible. It grows when the beneficial molds and bacteria used in making cheese are sprayed onto the surface of the cheese before aging.

How do you remove the coating from Brie? ›

Slice off the sides.

Lay the brie flat against the cutting board. Use the serrated knife to cut along the edge of the brie to slice off the sides. As you cut, start pulling the sides of the rind away from the brie, bit by bit. Continue until you've completely removed the rind from the brie.

What is the correct way to eat brie cheese? ›

To eat Brie, first remove it from your refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the brie to become softer and more flavorful as it warms. Once softened, simply slice your brie into small wedges, without removing the edible, flavorful rind.

Should brie be served warm or cold? ›

Take your brie out of the fridge about an hour before eating it, as it's best at room temperature. For this reason, it bodes well on boards at parties. If pressed for time, consider sealing it in a zip-top bag and putting it in water just above room temp to take the chill off.

What should I serve on top of brie cheese? ›

What does brie cheese go well with? Seriously so much. You can pair it with something sweet like honey, jam, or berries, or you can go more savory with nuts, veggies, or red pepper jelly.

Is brie better with crackers or bread? ›

When picking things to accompany brie, it is important to enhance these qualities without overwhelming them. The French will traditionally serve Brie with baguette or another crusty bread that won't compete with the cheese. Plain crackers are another convenient choice that won't detract from the cheese.

Is brie good for your gut? ›

Based on some studies, there are many health benefits of eating brie cheese. According to some studies, it might reduce inflammation and improve immunity. It might also aid in digestion if had in moderation.

Can dogs have brie? ›

Cheeses that have herbs, garlic, raisins, or other added flavors should also be avoided. Garlic and raisins are some of the most toxic foods for dogs and can cause serious health issues. Goat cheese, brie, and feta all have high levels of saturated fat, which make them unhealthy for dogs to consume.

Why does Brie taste weird? ›

It may be a turnoff but it's a consequence of aging, especially for bloomy-rind cheeses like Brie. As these cheeses ripen, their surface molds break down protein into amino acids and one byproduct of that breakdown is ammonia.

What's the white stuff on Brie? ›

That marshmallowy white stuff on the outside of your brie is called a bloomy rind. These cheeses are coated with edible molds, such as Penicillium candidum. The cheeses ripen from the outside-inwards. Sometimes, a seductive gooey layer called the “creamline” forms around the fudgy interior.

Is Brie cheese healthy for weight loss? ›

Brie - Brie is a creamy, white cheese made from cow's milk. It's low in fat and calories, and contains a high amount of protein. Brie is a good choice for weight loss. Goat Cheese – Keystone Farms Cheese Black Truffle Goat cheese is a soft, white cheese made from goat's milk.

What is the correct way to eat Brie cheese? ›

To eat Brie, first remove it from your refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the brie to become softer and more flavorful as it warms. Once softened, simply slice your brie into small wedges, without removing the edible, flavorful rind.

Do you take the rind off baked Brie? ›

Keep the rind on, as it will help the cheese hold its shape so it doesn't all melt out. The rind is also edible, so you can enjoy it with the melted cheese, or simply remove the top layer after baking and dunk in crusty bread like a fondue.

Is it OK to cut mold off Brie cheese? ›

Some molds are used to make certain kinds of cheeses including (Roquefort, blue, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Camembert, and Brie). The mold on these cheeses is safe to eat. Mold on other types of cheeses should not be there. Discard any soft cheese showing mold.

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