Brie

Brie.jpg

Serve this elegant cheese with fresh fruits, including sweet berries or grapes, and with warm, crusty bread.

Brie is a soft French cheese made from cows’ milk and, like Parmesan, it is ripened by mould. Brie was a favourite of French royalty in the 15th century. In 1848, the Congress of Vienna pronounced it the “King of Cheeses” among 60 other European cheeses. It is named after the Brie region, an area of suburbs to the south and east of Paris.

Brie is produced in small flat rounds, often boxed in tight-fitting, thin, wooden boxes. The outer edge of the velvety white Penicillium mould rind may have a light tint of reddish-brown. The soft cheese is pale yellow and creamy, with a pronounced odour and a delicately sharp taste. Brie tends to have a milder flavour than Camembert.

Varieties

French Brie is marketed under two names protected by the French government: Brie de Meaux (check for the AOC or Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée regulated name designation), and Brie de Melun, which is not exported. Good Brie is also produced in Coulommiers, although this cheese is not a name-controlled product.

Buying and storing tips

The softer the cheese, the more perishable it is. Ripe Brie will keep for just a few days. If the cheese becomes too runny or smells of ammonia, it indicates the cheese has been aged too long. Owing to concerns about Listeria bacteria, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that unpasteurized, soft, aged cheeses like Brie should not be eaten by children, older people, or anyone with a compromised immune system.

Availability

Brie is widely available in large health food stores, specialty stores, and markets.

Preparation, uses, and tips

This elegant cheese can be served with a variety of fresh fruits, including sweet berries or grapes, and with warm crusty breads or mild-flavored crackers that will show off its flavour. It is also good with cappuccino, red wines, and apple cider, and makes an enjoyable treat when baked in a pastry crust.

Nutritional Highlights

Brie, 1/4 cup (2 oz.) (57g)
Calories: 189
Protein: 12g
Carbohydrate: 17g
Total Fat: 15.7g
Fiber: 0.0g
*Good source of: Calcium (104mg), and Riboflavin (0.294mg)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.