If you’ve ever opened a wheel of brie and been hit with a weird cabbage smell, you’re not alone. It’s a lot more common than you think.
But why does brie smell like cabbage in the first place?
Turns out it’s completely natural and happens as the Brie ages. Plus, it could mean the cheese was made from raw milk.
In this post, I’ll give you a quick rundown of what makes it smell like cabbage.
Is It Safe To Eat Brie That Smells Like Cabbage?
While the smell of brie may be off-putting to some, it’s completely safe to eat.
In fact, many cheese experts believe that the smell is a sign of a well-made brie.
However, if brie smells like ammonia or you notice a rind that is dry, gray, or pinkish, it may be a sign that the cheese has gone bad and you should NOT eat it.
Any other smell, including cabbage farts is fine.
Why Does Brie Smell Like Cabbage?
The reason why Brie smells like cabbage lies in the cheese’s production process.
Brie is a soft-ripened cheese, which means that it is aged from the outside in.
As the cheese matures, bacteria break down the proteins and fats inside, creating a range of complex flavors and aromas.
One of the byproducts of this process is a chemical compound called methanethiol, which is responsible for brie’s cabbage or even fart-like smell.
Let me go into the science part behind the cabbage smell.
The Chemical Compounds
The cabbage aroma in brie is caused by a group of sulfur compounds, particularly methanethiol, which is produced during the cheese’s ripening process.
These compounds are also there in cabbage, which is why brie smells like cabbage.
Methanethiol is produced by the breakdown of the amino acid methionine. Other sulfur compounds that contribute to the smell are dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide.
These too are produced during the cheese’s ripening process and are responsible for the cheesy, onion-like smell in brie.
Factors That Increase The Cabbage Smell
Here are some of the things that can affect the intensity of the cabbage aroma in brie:
Milk Its Made From
One of the most significant factors is the type of milk used to make the cheese.
Brie made from raw milk is more likely to have a strong cabbage smell than brie made from pasteurized milk.
This is because the heat used during pasteurization can destroy some of the enzymes that are responsible for producing the sulfur compounds that create the cabbage smell.
Cheese Age
The other factor is the ripening process.
Brie that is aged for a longer period of time will have a stronger cabbage smell.
Plus, the temperature and humidity of the aging environment can also affect the intensity of the cabbage smell in brie.
Cabbage Smell In Other Foods
Cabbage odor is not unique to brie cheese.
In fact, many foods that contain sulfur compounds can give off a similar smell.
For example, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are made of the same sulfur compounds found in brie.
Plus, some fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi, can also have a cabbage-like smell because they are fermented with lactic acid bacteria, which produce sulfur compounds.
FAQs
Does Brie Taste Like Cauliflower?
Brie cheese is often described as having a vegetal, earthy flavor profile, which might be similar to the smell of cauliflower for some people. Again this is perfectly normal.
Does Brie Smell Like Feet?
Yes, Brie can smell like feet. This is because of methanethiol which is released during Brie’s ripening process. While the smell might be strong for some people, the taste will still be mild and creamy.