Brie and baguette is one of life's simplest pleasures, but not all supermarket bries are created equal. A recent taste test has rated wedges from mild and creamy to pungent and oozy, helping shoppers choose the perfect cheese for their picnic or cheeseboard.
The tasting, conducted at room temperature after at least an hour's rest, assessed aroma, texture, and flavour. Top marks went to a well-aged wedge with a brown-and-white rind, packed in a wooden carton. Described as 'utterly delicious', it had a sweet and funky aroma, soft texture, and an aerated centre that melts into an oozy blob with floral sweetness and a sour twang.
For those preferring a milder brie, a small round cheese with a firm rind and sweet, yeasty aroma was praised for its honey notes and creamy, buttery texture. 'Delicious, and brilliant value,' the reviewer noted. Another standout was a large, whole round brie-style cheese from Fen Farm Dairy, made with milk from free-ranging Montbéliarde cows. It was oozy, complex, and mature, with a pungent, earthy rind and sweet, creamy interior – described as the best splurge.
Other notable entries included a young brie with a gooey outer edge and set middle, offering a pleasing contrast in texture, and a mature wedge with complex notes of farmyard, autumn leaves, and honey. A small round with a snow-white rind was fresh and mild, with a distinct mushroom note, while a wedge with a thick, white rind had a consistent, creamy texture and classic sweet flavour with gentle lactic tanginess.
The test also highlighted value options: a decent-size wedge with farmyard aroma and honey notes, consistently creamy and buttery; a classic mild wedge with soft, farmy rind and sweet, nutty flavour; and a thin wedge of young brie with assertively pungent rind that softened after airing, offering straightforward creamy texture and sweet taste. All cheeses were judged on their own merits, with the reviewer aiming to judge the World Cheese Awards one day.
