There is nothing quite as comforting or delightful as cheese. Whether you are using it as a dip or melting it for fondue, as an addition to your snack or a topping for your meal, cheese is adored by many. It’s comforting, it’s flavorful, it’s salty, what else could you want? Unfortunately, cheese is not acceptable for all diets, and some might even have an intolerance to cheese. For those who are following a gluten-free diet, we’ve learned Kraft American cheese is gluten-free but is brie cheese also on the list?
Yes, brie cheese is naturally gluten-free. However, some other types of cheese include added wheat starch or modified food starch. Also, some gluten-free cheeses that are purchased and sliced at the deli may be contaminated with gluten-containing ingredients from the blade on the machine that slices the cheese [1]. The best gluten-free brands of brie are President and Allouette.
It’s important for those following a strict gluten-free diet to be weary of these potential additives. However, it is a lot less common for brie cheese. Let’s take a deeper look at this beloved cheese and its nutrition.
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What is Brie Cheese?
Named after the region in France where it was first created, brie cheese is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk that is enveloped in an edible white mold rind. Its flavor is described as rich, buttery, fruity, nutty, and earthy, depending on the kind.
Its flavor is best enjoyed when consumed at room temperature. However, there are many popular dishes that serve brie cheese partially melted or baked. It’s also commonly topped with herbs, nuts, fruit, or jam or served with crackers or on a charcuterie board. Its flavor is strong, distinct, unique and adored by many.
Is Brie Cheese Healthy?
Brie cheese is rich in protein, fat, calcium, and vitamin B12. Although brie cheese is made up of mostly saturated fat, recent research shows it should not be as feared as we once thought. In fact, fat, as well as protein, can help to promote early satiety which can help to maintain a healthy body weight without having an impact on heart health if consumed in moderation [2].
A rich source of calcium from the cow’s milk, brie cheese, and other high calcium foods, can help to promote healthy bone growth. Ensuring adequate calcium in our diet is also essential for the functioning of our nerves, muscles, and heart. Small studies have suggested calcium along with vitamin D, are believed to be able to reduce cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure risk [3, 4].
Brie cheese is also a good source of vitamin B12, a vital nutrient for our body’s blood and nerve cells. Vitamin B12 is an essential component in the production of DNA and can also help to prevent certain conditions, such as megaloblastic anemia. It is a natural vitamin found in all animal products and is added to some fortified foods as well [5].
What are the Downsides?
Because brie cheese is calorically dense, it can be easy to over-eat which can result in weight gain if not enjoyed in moderation. It is also high in sodium, as salt is used in the process of making the cheese. Brie cheese can have anywhere from 120mg to over 200mg of sodium per 1-ounce portion.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends no more than 2300mg of sodium intake per day for adults. In its lowest form, brie cheese has about 8% of the daily recommended intake for sodium. This is further increased if consuming more than 1 serving or choose to enjoy your cheese with salty crackers or nuts. Because of this, it is encouraged to consume in moderation.
What Is the Rind on Brie Cheese?
The rind on brie cheese is made from a white mold, known as Penicillium Candidum. This mold is added to the cheese and will bloom around the outside. It is then repeatedly patted down until a semi-hardened rind is formed. This rind is what a lot of the unique flavor of brie is attributed to. It is completely edible and safe for most to consume as is but is encouraged to be fully heated for those who are pregnant to ensure safety from foodborne illness.
How Should You Store Brie Cheese?
Brie cheese should be stored airtight and in the refrigerator. Because it is soft, if left out in room temperature for too long it can spoil. Brie will often continue to ripen after opening. It should be consumed within 1-3 weeks once opened. Those who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems should avoid brie cheese to decrease potential exposure to harmful bacteria, especially if past the expiration date.
Nutrition Facts for Brie Cheese
Brie cheese is a high-fat food that contains a good number of calories per serving. Because of this, along with its relatively high sodium content, it’s important to consume this and other cheeses in moderation. The recommended serving size for cheese is about 1-ounce, or about the size of your thumb.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized cow’s milk
- Cheese cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
- Calories 100
- Fat 9g
- Saturated fat 4g
- Sodium 120mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 4g
Best Gluten-Free Brie Cheese Brands
President Brie Cheese Wheel
Available at Target stores or online for $4.49 for an 8-ounce wheel, President Brie cheese comes in a wheal divided into 1-ounce portions. It is gluten-free and easy to pair with crackers for a hearty snack.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized cow’s milk
- Cheese cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
- Calories 100
- Fat 9g
- Saturated fat 4g
- Sodium 120mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 4g
Allouette Brie Cheese
Also available at Target stores or online for $5.99 for an 8-ounce container Allouette brie cheese is double cream soft ripened, gluten-free and kosher.
Ingredients:
- Cultured pasteurized milk and cream
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per two 1 inch cubes):
- Calories 110
- Fat 10g
- Saturated fat 5g
- Sodium 180mg
- Carbohydrates 1g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 5g
Marin French Cheese, Triple Crème Brie
$12.00 for an 8-ounce wheel, you can find Marin French brie cheese online on sites such as GourmetFoods.com or Amazon.com. This triple crème brie is slightly higher in salt than other varieties as well as protein.
Ingredients:
- Cultured pasteurized milk
- Cream
- Salt
- Microbial enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
- Calories 100
- Fat 8g
- Saturated fat 5g
- Sodium 190mg
- Carbohydrates 0g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 5g
Saint Rocco Triple Crème Brie
Available at WisconsinCheeseMart.com at $7.75 for an 8-ounce wheel, Saint Rocco triple crème brie is gluten-free and aged at least two weeks for a stronger flavor.
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized milk
- Cream
- Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
- Calories 130
- Fat 12g
- Saturated fat 8g
- Sodium 160mg
- Carbohydrates 1g
- Sugar 0g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber 0g
- Protein 5g
Alternative to Brie Cheese
For those looking for a dairy-free alternative to Brie cheese, there are limited options available on the market. Unfortunately, it’s even more challenging to find a gluten-free option. One of the more popular options on the market is listed below.
Wild Brine Wild Creamery Brie Alternative
Lower in saturated fat than traditional cow’s milk brie cheese, Wild Brine Brie alternative is made using cashews as a base. Unfortunately, because it contains oats, it is not gluten-free but is suitable for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet. You can find this brie alternative on Wildbrine.com at $9.99 for a 5.25-ounce package.
Ingredients:
- Organic cashews
- Water
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic coconut cream
- Contains 2% or less of
- Organic nutritional yeast
- Organic cabbage
- Organic oats
- Sea salt
- Penicillium Candidum
- Organic lactobacillus cultures
Nutrition Facts (per 1 oz.):
- Calories 140
- Fat 12g
- Saturated fat 4g
- Sodium 120mg
- Carbohydrates 6g
- Sugar 1g
- Added sugar 0g
- Fiber <1g
- Protein 4g
Related Questions
Is Brie Cheese Pasteurized?
In the United States, all fresh cheeses are required to be pasteurized. Pasteurization is a technique that helps to reduce the risk of food poisoning in certain food products. It utilizes heating to partially sterilize milk and other dairy products to ensure it is safe for consumption.
Authentic brie cheese is unpasteurized. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the selling of unpasteurized cheeses in the United States. In order to obtain unpasteurized brie cheese, you will need to travel to a different country or make it yourself [6].
Does Brie Cheese Contain Lactose?
Brie, and other soft cheeses, contain a small amount of lactose. This is the natural sugar found in dairy products. Cheeses are often better tolerated forms of dairy products for those who are lactose intolerant because a lot of the lactose is removed during the processes of making the cheese. Those who are very sensitive to lactose or who have a milk allergy should steer clear of brie cheese, as well as other cheeses and other forms of dairy to avoid a reaction [7].
Is Brie Cheese Safe During Pregnancy?
Even though brie cheese is pasteurized, because it is mold ripened, it is recommended for those who are pregnant to steer clear unless it is fully cooked. Like deli meats, fully cooking mold ripened soft cheeses can help to destroy any potentially harmful bacteria that might result in illness and potential risk of the health of the fetus during early development.