The world of cheese is vast and fascinating, a landscape filled with diverse textures, flavors, and aromas. Among the countless varieties, brie and Mt Tam stand out as particularly beloved options. But when faced with a wedge of the creamy, rich Mt Tam, many cheese lovers find themselves pondering a fundamental question: Is Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam a brie?
The answer, as with many things in the culinary world, is nuanced. While Mt Tam shares characteristics with brie, it’s important to understand the subtle but significant differences that set it apart. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the intricacies of these two celebrated cheeses and discover what makes Mt Tam truly unique.
Understanding Brie: A Classic French Cheese
Brie is a soft, cow’s-milk cheese named after the Brie region of France, where it originated. It’s characterized by its bloomy rind, typically made from Penicillium candidum, which gives it a distinctive white, velvety appearance. The interior of a brie is known for its smooth, creamy texture and buttery, slightly tangy flavor.
The production of brie involves several key steps:
- Milk Preparation: Fresh cow’s milk is pasteurized or unpasteurized, depending on the specific type of brie.
- Coagulation: Rennet is added to the milk to coagulate it, forming a curd.
- Molding: The curds are carefully ladled into molds to drain the whey.
- Salting: The cheese is salted to control moisture and enhance flavor.
- Aging: Brie is aged for a period of time, allowing the rind to develop and the interior to ripen.
Different types of brie exist, each with its own unique characteristics. Brie de Meaux, for example, is a traditional, unpasteurized brie with a more intense flavor. Brie de Melun is another well-known variety, smaller in size and often aged for a longer period. The aging process profoundly impacts the flavor and texture of brie, with younger bries being milder and firmer, while more mature bries become softer, creamier, and more pungent.
Delving into Mt Tam: Cowgirl Creamery’s Signature Cheese
Mt Tam is a triple-cream cheese produced by Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station, California. Named after Mount Tamalpais, a prominent peak in Marin County, this cheese is celebrated for its rich, decadent flavor and luxurious texture.
Unlike traditional brie, Mt Tam is made with organic cow’s milk and has a higher butterfat content, qualifying it as a triple-cream cheese. This elevated fat content contributes to its signature richness and melt-in-your-mouth feel.
The cheesemaking process for Mt Tam shares similarities with brie production, but there are crucial distinctions:
- Milk Sourcing: Cowgirl Creamery emphasizes using high-quality, organic milk from local dairies.
- Triple Cream Enrichment: Cream is added to the milk to increase the butterfat content to approximately 75%.
- Aging Process: Mt Tam is aged for approximately 3-4 weeks, allowing the rind to develop and the interior to ripen.
These differences in production methods result in a cheese with a distinct flavor profile compared to traditional brie. Mt Tam offers a buttery, slightly tangy flavor with hints of earthiness and a lingering creamy finish.
Key Differences Between Mt Tam and Brie
While both Mt Tam and brie belong to the family of soft, bloomy-rind cheeses, several key differences distinguish them:
- Butterfat Content: Mt Tam is a triple-cream cheese, meaning it has a higher butterfat content than most bries. This contributes to its richer, more decadent texture and flavor.
- Milk Source: While both are made from cow’s milk, Mt Tam uses organic milk sourced from local dairies in California. The terroir (environmental factors affecting the milk) of the region also plays a role in its unique flavor.
- Flavor Profile: While both offer buttery notes, Mt Tam tends to be more pronouncedly rich and creamy, with a more subtle tang than some traditional bries.
- Origin: Brie is traditionally French, while Mt Tam is an American original, representing a contemporary approach to cheesemaking.
To summarize:
- Brie: Originates from France, lower butterfat, varying tanginess based on type.
- Mt Tam: American, higher butterfat (triple cream), very creamy and buttery, subtle tang.
Comparing Texture, Taste, and Aroma: A Sensory Experience
The sensory experience of enjoying Mt Tam and brie is crucial to understanding their differences.
Texture: Brie typically has a soft, yielding texture that can range from slightly firm when young to incredibly runny when fully ripe. Mt Tam, owing to its triple-cream status, boasts a supremely smooth, luxurious texture that melts on the tongue.
Taste: Brie offers a buttery, slightly tangy flavor, which can vary depending on the type and aging process. Some bries can be quite mild, while others have a more pronounced earthy or mushroomy flavor. Mt Tam presents a rich, buttery flavor with a subtle tang and a hint of earthiness. The high butterfat content contributes to a creamy, lingering finish.
Aroma: Both brie and Mt Tam have a distinctive aroma associated with their bloomy rinds. Brie’s aroma can range from mild and mushroomy to more pungent and ammonia-like, depending on its ripeness. Mt Tam generally has a milder, more delicate aroma with hints of mushroom and earth.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions: Enhancing the Cheese Experience
Both Mt Tam and brie are versatile cheeses that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
Serving Suggestions:
- Room Temperature: Always serve both cheeses at room temperature to allow their flavors and textures to fully develop.
- Accompaniments: Pair them with crusty bread, crackers, or fruit.
- Presentation: Serve with a cheese knife for easy spreading.
Pairing Suggestions:
- Wine:
- Brie: Light-bodied red wines like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir, or sparkling wines like Champagne.
- Mt Tam: Fuller-bodied white wines like Chardonnay or Viognier, or dessert wines like Sauternes.
- Other Pairings:
- Brie: Honey, nuts, fig jam.
- Mt Tam: Berries, apricot preserves, toasted almonds.
These pairings are recommendations, and personal preferences can significantly affect the outcome. Experimentation is key to finding your ideal combination.
The Verdict: Mt Tam and Brie – Cousins, Not Identical Twins
So, is Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam a brie? Technically, no. While it shares the characteristic bloomy rind and creamy texture of brie, its higher butterfat content, organic milk source, and distinct flavor profile set it apart as a unique cheese in its own right. It’s more accurate to describe Mt Tam as a brie-style cheese, or a triple-cream cheese with similarities to brie.
The world of cheese is rich with diversity, and appreciating the nuances between varieties like Mt Tam and brie enhances the overall culinary experience. Instead of viewing them as identical, consider them cousins within the same family, each offering a unique and delightful sensory journey. Embrace the distinct qualities of both cheeses and savor the pleasures they bring to the table. Mt Tam stands as a testament to the creativity and innovation within the American artisan cheese movement, a delicious example of how cheesemakers can adapt and elevate classic techniques to create something truly special.
What is Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam cheese?
Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam is a celebrated triple-cream cheese produced by Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes Station, California. It’s known for its rich, buttery flavor and smooth, almost spreadable texture. Named after Mount Tamalpais, a prominent peak in Marin County, the cheese embodies the region’s artisanal cheese-making tradition and commitment to quality.
Mt Tam is made using organic cow’s milk and aged for several weeks, during which time a delicate white rind develops. This rind contributes to the cheese’s complex flavor profile, which can range from earthy and mushroomy to subtly tangy. The cheese is often enjoyed on its own, with crusty bread, or as part of a cheese board.
Is Mt Tam considered a Brie cheese?
While Mt Tam shares some similarities with Brie, it is not technically classified as a Brie. Brie is a type of cheese traditionally made in the Brie region of France. While both cheeses are soft-ripened and have a bloomy white rind, key differences in production and milk composition set them apart.
Specifically, Mt Tam is a triple-cream cheese, meaning it has a significantly higher butterfat content than most Bries. This higher fat content contributes to its exceptionally rich and decadent texture. Traditional Brie typically has a lower butterfat content and a more pronounced earthy flavor.
What makes Mt Tam a “triple-cream” cheese?
The term “triple-cream” refers to the high butterfat content of the cheese. By definition, a triple-cream cheese must have a butterfat content of at least 75% based on dry weight. This is achieved by adding cream to the milk during the cheesemaking process.
The added cream gives Mt Tam its signature luxurious texture and decadent flavor. The higher fat content melts in your mouth and creates a rich, creamy sensation that distinguishes it from cheeses with lower butterfat levels. This characteristic is a key element in the overall taste and enjoyment of Mt Tam.
What kind of milk is used to make Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam?
Cowgirl Creamery exclusively uses organic cow’s milk to produce Mt Tam cheese. The milk is sourced from local dairies that adhere to strict organic farming practices, ensuring the highest quality and sustainability. This commitment to organic milk contributes to the cheese’s overall flavor and appeal.
The organic certification guarantees that the cows are raised without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. The cows also have access to pasture, which allows them to graze naturally. This dedication to responsible farming practices not only benefits the environment but also results in milk that is ideal for crafting exceptional cheese.
How is Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam different from other soft-ripened cheeses?
While there are many soft-ripened cheeses on the market, Mt Tam distinguishes itself through its high butterfat content, organic milk source, and distinct flavor profile. The triple-cream designation creates a uniquely rich and decadent texture that sets it apart from many other soft cheeses.
Additionally, the use of organic milk from local dairies ensures a consistent and high-quality product. The flavor of Mt Tam is often described as earthy, mushroomy, and subtly tangy, which is influenced by the aging process and the specific cultures used during cheesemaking. These characteristics combine to create a truly unique and memorable cheese experience.
How should Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam be stored for optimal freshness?
To maintain the quality and flavor of Mt Tam, it should be stored properly in the refrigerator. Wrap the cheese tightly in its original packaging or in cheese paper, and then place it in an airtight container. This helps to prevent it from drying out and absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
It’s best to keep Mt Tam in the vegetable crisper or a similar area where the temperature is relatively stable. Remove the cheese from the refrigerator about 30 minutes to an hour before serving to allow it to come to room temperature. This will enhance its flavor and texture.
What are some ideal pairings for Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam?
Mt Tam pairs exceptionally well with a variety of foods and beverages. For a classic pairing, serve it with crusty bread or crackers. The creamy texture of the cheese complements the crispness of the bread, creating a satisfying combination.
Honey, fruit preserves (especially fig or apricot), and toasted nuts also make excellent accompaniments. For beverages, consider pairing Mt Tam with a dry sparkling wine, such as Champagne or Prosecco. The bubbles help to cut through the richness of the cheese. Alternatively, a light-bodied red wine, such as Pinot Noir, or a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, can also be a delightful pairing.