Île-de-France · France
Brie de Melun.
Brie de Melun is the more assertive ancestor of its famous cousin, with a dense, creamy paste that yields to gentle pressure. Earthy notes of mushroom and fresh hay mingle with a subtle tang and lactic sharpness, while its bloomy rind releases a faintly pungent, almost funky aroma—less refined than Brie de Meaux, but far more intriguing.
Origin
48.6°N · 2.8°E
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Brie de Melun is considered the ancestor of all Brie cheeses, predating Brie de Meaux.
Aged longer and made with lactic rather than rennet coagulation, it is stronger and more pungent than its more famous cousin. It received AOC protection in 1980.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Soft-bloomy
- Rind
- bloomy
- Age
- 1–3 mo
- Protected
- AOP · since 1996
- Intensity
- 3 / 5
- Texture
- soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Brie de Melun's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for soft-bloomy cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 1.5–2 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut like a cake — slim wedges from the centre, through the rind. Don't scoop the middle and strand the shell.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Brie.
49 pairings across 8 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Brie de Melun are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Brie de Melun at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
