Brie vs camembert: Do you know the difference?
Camembert and brie are both creamy, delicious soft cheeses but is there a difference between these two dairy delights?
In the lead up to CheeseFest, we put the RAA team to the test to see if they can taste the difference between brie and camembert.
Watch the video below and then read on to find out how these two cheeses vary.
Camembert and brie are both white (bloomy) rind cheeses, but CheeseFest Director and cheesemaker Kris Lloyd says there are several differences.
“The main difference is where the recipe originates from,” Kris says. “The size of the wheel is also a really significant difference as well.”
A wheel of brie is usually larger but flatter whereas camembert is usually smaller but taller. They also taste slightly different.
“Brie is going to have a lighter flavour,” Kris says. “It’s also a bit more mushroomy, whereas your camembert is more pungent. It tends to borderline on cabbagey – I know that doesn’t sound great but as it matures, the aroma gets that way.”
In terms of texture, brie is generally creamier as cheesemakers add cream to the recipe. Camembert on the other hand, is thicker and has a chalkier texture.
So, there you have it. These two seemingly similar cheeses are quite different.