Brie de Melun is not your average Brie.
It achieved AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) status in 1980 along with Brie de Meaux and is produced in the same area as Brie de Meaux, about 50 kilometers outside of Paris in the Île-de-France region, but that is where the similarities end.
Brie de Meaux is soft, Brie de Melun is robust.
Brie de Meaux is refined, Brie de Melun is lusty.
Brie de Meaux is perfumed, Brie de Melun is heady.
If Brie de Meaux were Jackie O, then Brie de Melun would be Marilyn Monroe.
The difference in flavor has to do with the method of production. Whereas Brie de Meaux's production uses rennet to achieve coagulation in a mere 30 minutes, Brie de Melun relies on lactic fermentation, which takes at least 18 hours.
Seven to eight weeks of affinage* produce a dense, pale yellow colored interior and a bloomy, white rind that is brushed with reddish-brown streaks. The flavors are fruity, salty, slightly sour and rustic. I also tasted hints of mushroom and hazelnuts.
Brie de Melun is absolutely fantastic!
Serve with red wine such as Sancerre, Bourgogne or Gaillac.
* the process of maturing and ripening cheese
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9 comments:
I want some of this cheese. I can't resist. :)
Looks delicious!!!
Love the Fig photo :-)
Thanks for the cheese lesson-- very interesting to learn the difference between the two bries!
I suppose that the imported brie we can purchase in the US is rennet-coagulated... I doubt that the French would take the time for lactic fermentation when they have to start with pasteurized milk. :(
rossella
it is sublime! You should try it if you can find it.
anne
it is! I know it is available in england. If you like strong cheese, then this is a lovely one.
danielle
It is from unpasteurized milk, thus not available in the States.
Maybe you can try making your own?
I loved reading about your ricotta making.
Thanks for this topic. I knew there was a difference between brie de Meaux and brie de Melun but I couldn't have put it into words. Soon I will go to the market in Saint-Aignan and get some Melun brie to do a new taste-test.
I like your Jackie O/Marilyn simile...
ken
We loved the Brie de Melun. It is more difficult to find here, but as soon as I see it again, I'm buying some more!
spacedlaw
Merci! :)
Lve your massive cheese coverage!
I just got a perfectly ripe melun at Laurent dubois. It seems to be a standard thing with them.
When in paris do try
Mille Merci! Carolg
Carol
Laurent is an amazing affineur and the cheeses they offer are some of the best in the city. I'm fortunate to be able to shop there at least twice a week on my culinary tours of Paris.
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