Discover the World of Soft Cheese: 29 Mouthwatering Varieties to Savor
Some of my favourite cheeses right here! Creamy and indulgent check out my list here. From the buttery Brie to the tangy Camembert, soft cheeses offer a rich variety of flavors and textures. This guide will introduce you to a diverse range of soft cheese varieties that will elevate your cheese platter and recipes. You can read my guide on making many of these cheeses here!
Types Of Soft Cheese
Soft cheeseis a categoryof cheese thathas a high moisturecontent and asoft, creamy texture. These cheeses aretypically aged for a shorterperiod than hard cheeses and havea milder flavorprofile. Softcheeses can bemade from varioustypes of milk, including cow, goat, and sheep, and are oftencharacterized by their bloomy, washed, ornatural rinds.
1. Brie
Brie is a classic French soft cheese known for its buttery flavor and creamy texture. It has a white, bloomy rind and a pale yellow interior that becomes runnier as it ages. Brie is made from cow’s milk and has a mild, slightly nutty taste.Brie is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own, paired with fruit and nuts, or used in cooking. It’s delicious baked in puff pastry, melted in sandwiches, or as a topping for salads and pizzas.
2. Camembert
Camembert is another famous French soft cheese that is similar to Brie but has a stronger, more intense flavor. It has a white, bloomy rind and a soft, creamy interior that becomes more pungent as it ripens. Camembert is made from cow’s milk and has a rich, earthy taste with hints of mushroom.Camembert is perfect for spreading on crusty bread, melting in sauces, or baking in pastries. It pairs well with fruits like apples and pears, as well as with cured meats and nuts.
3. Coulommiers
Coulommiers is a French soft cheese that is similar to Brie but has a milder flavor and a thicker, creamier texture. It has a white, bloomy rind and a pale yellow interior. Coulommiers is made from cow’s milk and has a slightly sweet, buttery taste.Coulommiers is delicious on its own, paired with fruit and honey, or used in cooking. It’s a great choice for sandwiches, quiches, and gratins.
4. Neufchâtel
Neufchâtel is a French soft cheese that is similar to cream cheese but has a slightly tangy, more pronounced flavor. It has a soft, spreadable texture and a white, bloomy rind. Neufchâtel is made from cow’s milk and has a rich, creamy taste.Neufchâtel is perfect for spreading on bagels or crackers, using as a dip for vegetables, or incorporating into cheesecakes and other desserts. It also works well in savory dishes like pasta sauces and dips.
5. Saint-André
Saint-André is a French triple-cream soft cheese that is known for its rich, buttery flavor and smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It has a white, bloomy rind and a pale yellow interior. Saint-André is made from cow’s milk and has a high fat content, giving it a decadent taste.Saint-André is best enjoyed on its own, paired with champagne or sparkling wine. It’s also delicious spread on baguette slices or used as a topping for salads and roasted vegetables.
6. Taleggio
Taleggio is an Italian soft cheese that has a strong, pungent aroma and a mild, slightly tangy flavor. It has a thin, edible rind that is washed with brine during the aging process, giving it a distinctive orange color. Taleggio is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, creamy texture with small holes throughout.Taleggio is perfect for melting in risottos, polenta, and pasta dishes. It also pairs well with fruits like pears and figs, as well as with cured meats and crusty bread.
7. Boursin
Boursin is a French soft cheese that is known for its creamy texture and herb-infused flavor. It is made from cow’s milk and cream, and is often flavored with garlic, herbs, and spices like black pepper and chives. Boursin has a smooth, spreadable consistency and a tangy, slightly salty taste.Boursin is perfect for spreading on crackers or baguette slices, using as a dip for vegetables, or incorporating into mashed potatoes and other side dishes. It also works well as a stuffing for chicken or mushrooms.
8. Chevre (soft goat cheese)
Chevre is a French term for goat cheese, and soft Chevre refers to the creamy, spreadable varieties. These cheeses have a tangy, slightly acidic flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. Soft Chevre can be made in various styles, from fresh and mild to aged and more pungent.Soft Chevre is delicious crumbled over salads, spread on sandwiches, or used as a topping for pizzas and tarts. It also pairs well with fruits like figs and grapes, as well as with honey and nuts.
9. Robiola
Robiola is an Italian soft cheese that comes in various styles, from fresh and creamy to aged and more pungent. It is typically made from a mixture of cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk, giving it a complex flavor profile. Robiola has a soft, spreadable texture and a tangy, slightly earthy taste.Robiola is perfect for spreading on bread or crackers, using as a topping for salads and roasted vegetables, or incorporating into risottos and pasta dishes. It also pairs well with fruits like pears and apples, as well as with honey and nuts.
10. Brillat-Savarin
Brillat-Savarin is a French triple-cream soft cheese that is named after the famous gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. It has a rich, buttery flavor and a smooth, creamy texture that melts in your mouth. Brillat-Savarin is made from cow’s milk and has a white, bloomy rind.Brillat-Savarin is best enjoyed on its own, paired with champagne or sparkling wine. It’s also delicious spread on baguette slices or used as a topping for salads and roasted vegetables.
11. Livarot
Livarot is a French soft cheese that has a strong, pungent aroma and a rich, slightly spicy flavor. It has a washed rind that is colored orange-red by the bacteria that grow during the aging process. Livarot is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, creamy texture with small holes throughout.Livarot is perfect for melting in sauces, gratins, and sandwiches. It also pairs well with fruits like apples and pears, as well as with cured meats and crusty bread.
12. Pont l’Évêque
Pont l’Évêque is a French soft cheese that has a strong, slightly pungent aroma and a rich, creamy flavor. It has a washed rind that is colored orange-brown by the bacteria that grow during the aging process. Pont l’Évêque is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, supple texture.Pont l’Évêque is delicious on its own, paired with a glass of Normandy cider or white wine. It also works well in sandwiches, salads, and as a topping for baked potatoes.
13. Chaource
Chaource is a French soft cheese that has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It has a white, bloomy rind and a pale yellow interior. Chaource is made from cow’s milk and has a rich, buttery taste.Chaource is perfect for spreading on baguette slices, using as a topping for salads and roasted vegetables, or incorporating into quiches and tarts. It also pairs well with fruits like grapes and apples, as well as with champagne or sparkling wine.
14. Stracchino (Crescenza)
Stracchino, also known as Crescenza, is an Italian soft cheese that has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a soft, spreadable texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a delicate, creamy taste with a hint of sweetness. Stracchino has a thin, edible rind and a pale yellow interior.Stracchino is delicious spread on bread or crackers, used as a topping for pizzas and flatbreads, or incorporated into risottos and pasta dishes. It also pairs well with fruits like pears and figs, as well as with light, crisp white wines.
15. Époisses
Époisses is a French soft cheese that is known for its strong, pungent aroma and rich, creamy flavor. It has a washed rind that is colored orange-red by the bacteria that grow during the aging process, as well as by the brandy or wine that is used to wash the cheese. Époisses is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, almost runny texture when ripe.Époisses is best enjoyed on its own, paired with a glass of Burgundy red wine or a sweet dessert wine. It’s also delicious spread on crusty bread or used as a decadent topping for burgers and steaks.
16. Munster (soft)
Munster is a French soft cheese that has a strong, pungent aroma and a rich, slightly tangy flavor. It has a washed rind that is colored orange-red by the bacteria that grow during the aging process. Munster is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, creamy texture with small holes throughout.Munster is perfect for melting in sandwiches, tarts, and gratins. It also pairs well with fruits like apples and pears, as well as with Alsatian white wines and beers.
17. Reblochon
Reblochon is a French soft cheese that has a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It has a washed rind that is colored orange-yellow by the bacteria that grow during the aging process. Reblochon is made from raw cow’s milk and has a rich, buttery taste.Reblochon is delicious on its own, paired with a glass of Savoie white wine. It’s also the star ingredient in tartiflette, a French potato and bacon gratin. Reblochon works well in fondues, sandwiches, and as a topping for salads and roasted vegetables.
18. Fromage Blanc
Fromage Blanc is a French soft cheese that has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a fresh, light taste with a hint of sweetness. Fromage Blanc is similar to yogurt or sour cream in consistency. Fromage Blanc is perfect for spreading on bread or crackers, using as a dip for fruits and vegetables, or incorporating into cheesecakes and other desserts. It also works well in savory dishes like dips, sauces, and dressings.
19. Ricotta
Ricotta is an Italian soft cheese that has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a creamy, grainy texture. It is made from the whey leftover from the production of other cheeses, typically from cow’s, goat’s, or sheep’s milk. Ricotta has a fresh, delicate taste and a white, fluffy appearance. Ricotta is a versatile cheese that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s perfect for using in lasagna, ravioli, and other pasta dishes, as well as in cheesecakes, cannoli, and other desserts. Ricotta also makes a great spread for toast and a topping for pizzas and salads.
20. Mascarpone
Mascarpone is an Italian soft cheese that has a rich, creamy flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. It is made from cow’s milk cream and has a high fat content, giving it a decadent, buttery taste. Mascarpone is similar to cream cheese but has a milder, sweeter flavor. Mascarpone is a key ingredient in tiramisu, the classic Italian dessert. It’s also delicious in cheesecakes, tarts, and other sweet treats. Mascarpone works well in savory dishes too, such as risottos, pasta sauces, and dips.
21. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a soft cheese that has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and cream, and has a high fat content, giving it a rich, indulgent taste. Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that is widely used in both sweet and savory recipes. Cream cheese is perfect for spreading on bagels and crackers, using as a dip for fruits and vegetables, or incorporating into cheesecakes, frostings, and other desserts. It also works well in savory dishes like dips, sauces, and spreads.
22. Clotted Cream
Clotted cream is a thick, spreadable cream that has a rich, slightly sweet flavor and a smooth, velvety texture. It is made by heating full-fat cow’s milk and skimming off the thick layer of cream that rises to the surface. Clotted cream has a high fat content and a decadent, indulgent taste.Clotted cream is a traditional accompaniment to scones and other British tea time treats. It’s also delicious spread on toast, muffins, and crumpets, or used as a topping for desserts like fruit pies and cobblers.
23. Double Gloucester (soft)
Double Gloucester is an English cheese that comes in both hard and soft varieties. The soft version has a mild, slightly buttery flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a pale yellow interior with a natural rind.Soft Double Gloucester is perfect for melting in toasted sandwiches, using as a topping for baked potatoes, or incorporating into mac and cheese and other pasta dishes. It also pairs well with fruits like apples and pears, as well as with English ales and ciders.
24. Fontina (soft)
Fontina is an Italian cheese that comes in both hard and soft varieties. The soft version has a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a pale yellow interior with a thin, edible rind.Soft Fontina is perfect for melting in fondues, sauces, and pasta dishes. It also works well in panini, grilled cheese sandwiches, and as a topping for pizzas and flatbreads.
25. Torta del Casar
Torta del Casar is a Spanish soft cheese that has a rich, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from raw sheep’s milk and has a soft, spreadable consistency with a thin, natural rind. Torta del Casar has a strong, pungent aroma and a complex, savory taste.Torta del Casar is best enjoyed on its own, spread on crusty bread or crackers. It pairs well with Spanish red wines and sherry, as well as with fruits like quince paste and fig jam.
26. Gorgonzola Dolce
Gorgonzola Dolce is an Italian blue cheese that has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a soft, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a pale yellow interior with distinctive blue-green veins. Gorgonzola Dolce has a less pungent taste than its aged counterpart, Gorgonzola Piccante.Gorgonzola Dolce is perfect for spreading on bread or crackers, using as a topping for salads and pizzas, or incorporating into risottos and pasta dishes. It also pairs well with fruits like pears and figs, as well as with Italian red wines and dessert wines.
27. Rochebaron
Rochebaron is a French soft cheese that has a rich, slightly pungent flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, spreadable consistency with a thin, wrinkled rind. Rochebaron has a strong, earthy aroma and a complex, savory taste.Rochebaron is best enjoyed on its own, spread on baguette slices or crackers. It pairs well with French red wines and ciders, as well as with fruits like grapes and apples.
28. Tomme Vaudoise
Tomme Vaudoise is a Swiss soft cheese that has a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. It is made from cow’s milk and has a pale yellow interior with a thin, natural rind. Tomme Vaudoise has a delicate, buttery taste and a soft, pliable consistency.Tomme Vaudoise is perfect for melting in fondues and raclettes, the traditional Swiss dishes. It also works well in sandwiches, on cheese boards, and as a snack with crusty bread and white wine.
29. Cambozola
Cambozola is a German soft cheese that combines the characteristics of Camembert and Gorgonzola. It has a rich, creamy flavor with a slight tang and a hint of blue cheese sharpness. Cambozola is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, spreadable texture with a white, bloomy rind and distinctive blue veins.Cambozola is delicious on its own, spread on crackers or bread. It also works well as a topping for salads and pizzas, or incorporated into sauces and dips. Cambozola pairs well with German white wines, as well as with fruits like pears and grapes.
