Updated: Nov. 17, 2023
There are certain foods that make any occasion feel special, and Brie is one of them. Whether it’s served with crunchy apple slices or baked into a flaky puff pastry, Brie instantly elevates a meal or cheese board.
Brie is a soft-ripened cheese that comes inside a thick, white rind. But can you eat Brie rind? If you’re used to tossing the rind in the garbage, think again.
Can You Eat the Rind on Brie?
Yes, you can eat the rind on Brie. But what is it made of? The rind on Brie is a bloomy rind that grows from the molds and bacteria used to make Brie. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), these types of mold are beneficial and safe to consume.
Certain cheeses are made using mold. These include Brie, blue, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton and Camembert. The mold used to make these cheeses is safe to eat. The firm, white rind forms when the mold blooms and is then patted down. This process happens over and over until the Brie is ready. Not only is the rind on Brie safe to eat but it may even keep out harmful organisms that could contaminate the cheese.
The mold that grows on other types of cheese is not safe to eat. For example, if you have a wedge of Parmesan in your refrigerator and notice green mold growing, toss it out. It’s also not safe to eat human-made wrappers on cheese. An example of a human-made wrapper is the red wax found on Gouda.
How to Cut Brie
Brie is the star of any charcuterie board but it can be tricky to know how to display it. Fortunately, Brie is incredibly easy to cut and serve. So let’s cut the cheese!
When you purchase Brie at the store or farmers market, it is available as the full wheel or a wedge. To prepare to cut your Brie, first, bring it to room temperature. Brie is naturally soft, so bringing it to room temperature will make cutting it easy.
Place the wheel or wedge on a cutting board. If you’d like to remove the rind, trim it off. If you have a wheel of Brie, cut it in half, then slice each half into wedges. If you’re starting with a wedge of Brie, cut smaller wedges, about 1/3 inch thick.
Save these cheese recipes for your next gathering.
How to Serve Brie
Now comes the fun part! Let’s decide how to serve this gooey, melty cheese. To serve it on a cheese plate, fan out the Brie wedges on your board. Brie is a pretty mild cheese, so you may want to punch up the flavor with some sharp cheddar or Gouda as well. Thin wedges of Brie are also a delightful addition to a deli sandwich.
If you’d like your Brie dish to feel more special, consider baking it. Place your wheel on a foil-lined pan and bake it at 350°F until it softens. Add some sweetness by topping the wheel with some apricot jam or caramelized pecans.
For a fun appetizer, cut Brie into small squares and wrap them in puff pastry. Top each Brie bite with cranberry sauce.
If you have leftover Brie, wrap it in wax paper and store it in the refrigerator. Brie needs to be able to breathe, and wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap can lead to unsafe mold growth.
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