When times get tough, try to remember to Brie. Take a breath too, but a big bite of Brie couldn’t hurt. It’s one of those little pleasures that can solve almost everything that’s going wrong, except for, y’know, all the systemic horrible stuff. Ugh, sorry for even going there. Now I need some Brie. But what is Brie cheese? How do you eat it and how do you serve it? And most importantly, can you eat the rind? For all you that are reading this, holding a big slice of Brie, rind included, thank you for your patience. We’re going to get some answers.
What is Brie cheese?
Brie is a creamy, whitish cheese with a bloomy edible rind. It originates from the Brie region of northern France between the Seine and Marne valleys, which later came to be known as Seine-et-Marne. Traditionally, Brie is made from cow’s milk, but goat milk can be used as well. The Brie in the United States usually has a mild flavor, while French Brie can be pretty funky. That’s because a lot of Brie in France is made with raw milk. U.S. Brie is made from pasteurized milk. France, of course, exports stabilized and U.S. legal versions of their Brie, but it is made differently than the cheese sold in France. Pasteurized Brie has a longer shelf life, and takes on more earthy tones as it ages. Brie also gets mixed up a lot with its close cousin, Camembert. Both are soft, white cheeses sold in rounds, but Camembert is usually funkier, sold in smaller rounds, and has a lower butterfat percentage.
Now that you know what Brie is, how do you eat it? Just stick that sucker in your mouth and chew. Actually, you may want to wait a little bit. Brie is great all on its own, but if you really want the flavors and aromas at their max, it’s best to let it rest at room temperature for about an hour. And when I say room temperature, I’m talking about a normal, comfortable, room. If you live in a 125 degree desert with no AC, your room is not room temperature, buddy.
How do you serve Brie cheese?
Okay, so you know how to eat Brie, but what if you want to force other people to eat Brie? How do you serve Brie cheese? Brie is a great addition to any cheese board. Just toss it on there with some nuts, dried fruit, and a crusty baguette. Since Brie usually comes in rounds, it’s customary to cut it in wedges, you know triangles, like little pizza slices. Also, Brie is great baked. You can bake it in a puff pastry or just drizzle some honey over it and enjoy some nice Brieness.
Yes, you can. Everyone who has been holding that slice of Brie while reading this, waiting for the rind answer, go ahead and take a big bite. 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. Of course, you can cut the rind off and just eat the gooey cheese middle if you want. You can eat your food however you choose. But, just know that it will get back to me, and I’ll be very disappointed in you. But then if I get too sad, I can just eat some Brie, rind and all, and I’ll feel better.
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.
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. The mold then produces enzymes which help the cheese ripen from the outside in (opposite of how hard cheeses ripen).
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.
Yes, you can. The skin, better known as the rind, on brie adds extra flavour and potency to the cheese. However, you don't need to if you find brie flavoursome enough on its own.
It is a general rule that you should always cut a block of cheese as to not misshapen it; that being said, it is advisable to cut Brie, as if cutting pieces of a cake, in slices. Always slice from one end, never start in the middle of the block of cheese.
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.
Brie cheese can last in the refrigerator for about 1-2 weeks after opening, but it is best consumed within a few days for optimal flavor and freshness. However, it's essential to watch for any signs of spoilage before eating Brie cheese.
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.
It's rich in fat and protein, along with calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. If eaten in moderation, brie may promote feelings of fullness and aid appetite control, which can promote weight loss. If you're interested in this cheese, try it baked as a delectable side — or eat it on its own as a snack.
Ripe and runny bries for example would appreciate a longer warm-up: even as long as two hours, whilst harder cheddars benefit from an hour out of the fridge. The exception to this rule is fresh cheeses where 30 minutes should be sufficient.
The rind is, in fact, a white mold called Penicillium candidum, which cheesemakers inoculate the cheese with. This edible mold blooms on the outside of the paste and is then patted down, over and over again, to form the rind. This process gives Brie its distinctive taste.
Made with phenomenally rich milk, Brie is rich and creamy with a center that could be described as voluptuous. The flavor is subtle and somewhat unique—wild grasses and flowers flavor the milk used to produce the product so each variety of Brie has its own flavor, depending on the flora of a particular time and place.
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.
This is a big part of the cheesemaking process, and cheesemakers spend a lot of time doing this. It's tedious labor, and they're doing it for you, the person who should be eating the rind and paste together. They're professionals, and they want you to eat the rind. Don't let that work go unappreciated.
If you want to serve cheese as the French do, you should serve it to your dinner guests as an individual course before your dessert. Doing this allows the Brie to have a moment in the spotlight. However, many people also serve Brie as an appetizer with fruit, meat, and crackers.
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.
The easiest way to use cheese rinds is to cook them on the grill, griddle or barbecue, hardest side face down. Alternatively, you can simply bake them in the oven until they soften. Serve immediately, perhaps with vegetables or cold cuts.
It's a bit stronger but fine to eat. Yes you are supposed to eat it. You are also supposed to slice brie (and most other semi-soft cheeses) into wedges radiating outward from the center point, like a birthday cake or pizza. This is so that every slice has an equivalent ratio of creme to rind.
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.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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