Boursin Cheese - itscheese.com cheese guide (2024)

Boursin is the brand name a soft, spreadable cow's milk cheese originally from Normandy France.

Boursin was originally made by a man named François Boursin from the town of Gournay in Normandy, in 1957. It was inspired the local practice of mixing soft cheeses with herbs. It was the first cheese in France to be featured in a t.v. ad campaign, becoming famous with its slogan: "du pain, du vin, du Boursin" (some bread, some wine, some Boursin). The cheese has enjoyed AOC status since 1963. It currently is distributed in 35 countries.

Though originally a French cheese, it is now made in several places. Boursin cheese marketed in the United States, for example, is made in the U.S., not in France.

The cheese is soft, spreadable, and has no rind. The cheese is usually off-white or pale yellow. It comes in small cylinders wrapped in foil. The cheese is rich, sweet, and slightly acidic. Boursin is a fresh cheese, being aged about 10 days before it is ready for a market. The cheese is usually eaten on bread or crackers.

Boursin Cheese - itscheese.com cheese guide (1)

There are several varieties of Boursin. The most popular is probably Garlic and Fine Herbs, but you can also find Pepper, Fig and Nut, Shallot and Chive, Dried Tomato and Mediterranean Herbs, and other flavors. There is also a Chevre (goat cheese) version. Not all versions are available in all countries.

What is Gournay cheese?

Boxes of Boursin call it Gournay Cheese. It was called Gournay Cheese by its creator, François Boursin, when he needed a description of the cheese for customs. The labeling would lead one to believe that Boursin is the brand name and Gournay is the generic name (just like Tillamook is a brand name and Cheddar is a generic name), however, we've yet to see any other brand of Gournay cheese.

Where to buy

Boursin is not too hard to find in high-end grocery stores. If you are having trouble finding it in the United States, there is a store locator on the official website for Boursin Cheese in America.

You can also find Boursin online at amazon.com.

Boursin is a little expensive for some people. You can find several recipes online for "homemade Boursin". Most of these recipes use Cream Cheese as the main ingredient. We haven't tried any of these recipes, but we hardly think that you'd get the same thing as Boursin by using Cream Cheese, since the texture of the two cheeses are different. Boursin is less dense. (Those recipes still may be yummy, though.)

Boursin Cheese - itscheese.com cheese guide (2)

keya Horn2011-11-28 17:32:13

If you are the TV ad who pronounces Boursin as Boursang, you might check the correct pronunciation as in pain, vin, in (English EH)

reply to keya Horn

Boursin Cheese - itscheese.com cheese guide (3)

Online Wishlist2012-05-08 13:16:51

I like the Boursin with black pepper, though it's not as easy to find as some of the other varieties.

reply to Online Wishlist

Where to buy

Recipes

We have 12 recipes for Boursin in our recipe section.

Boursin Cheese - itscheese.com cheese guide (2024)

FAQs

What kind of cheese is in Boursin? ›

So, what actually is Boursin cheese? Boursin is the brand name of a soft, creamy-style French cheese (called Gournay) that is flavored with various things. The variety many of us are familiar with is garlic & fine herbs, which costs around $7 for two ounces in my area. And it is delicious — truly.

What is the best way to eat Boursin Cheese? ›

Perfection Shouldn't Be Rushed

Creamy, yet crumbly Boursin Cheese is a delicate Gourmet Cheese infused with flavor and perfect for any and all occasions. Simply serve it with crackers, spread it on an appetizer, or add it to your next meal. No matter how you eat Boursin Cheese—it's always delicious.

Can you eat Boursin Cheese by itself? ›

You can also enjoy our creamy herb cheese on its own on a cracker, artisan bread, or bagel. Our delicate cheese spread pairs wonderfully with most wines and complements any dinner party or event.

How to open Boursin Cheese? ›

Our signature foil wrapper locks in the freshness—but when you're ready to enjoy Boursin, use two fingers to gently unwrap it, removing the lid and peeling back the foil wrapper.

Is Boursin really cheese? ›

Derived from a traditional party dish, fromage frais, Boursin Cheese combines savory herbs and rich flavors with creamy, yet crumbly Gourmet Cheese.

What cheese is close to Boursin Cheese? ›

Delicious Boursin Cheese Alternative: Same Flavor & Easy Substitution. Cream cheese, Beecher's handmade cheese and Laughing Cow are the top 3 Boursin cheese substitute. Gorgonzola is also good.

Do the French eat Boursin? ›

Finally, in 1963, François was satisfied with his authentic Gournay cheese and garlic creation, and he introduced it to the world. Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese was served at celebrations and gatherings throughout France, and it quickly became a household name.

Is Boursin a healthy cheese? ›

Finally, Boursin contains very high levels of cholesterol. As such, people who have high cholesterol and are on a restricted diet should avoid this French fresh cheese.

Is Brie and Boursin the same? ›

Brie is a classic soft cheese with a rich, creamy texture and a mild, slightly nutty flavor. Boursin is a French cheese with a similar texture to Brie, but with added herbs and spices for a more complex flavor profile.

How long will Boursin last once opened? ›

How long can you keep your Boursin cheese after opening it? For our Boursin Minis Shallot & Chive and Garlic & Fine Herbs, the shelf life in the fridge at a temperature of 1 to 4° C is 5 days. For Boursin Cuisine, this goes up to 10 days.

Does Boursin go in the fridge? ›

Yes, for safety and best quality, Boursin Cheese should be refrigerated at all times, when not being consumed. When serving guests, cheese is safe unrefrigerated for 2-4 hours, and remaining cheese can then be safely returned to the fridge.

Is it OK to freeze Boursin Cheese? ›

CAN I FREEZE BOURSIN? 🧀 🙌 Yes you can! Although the flavour and texture can be impacted, it actually freezes pretty well!

How to eat Boursin? ›

Boursin cheese is a soft, creamy cheese that's perfect for spreading on toast, bread, crackers, and vegetables. Not only that, but its soft texture means that it melts quite easily, making it a versatile ingredient for hot dishes.

How to cut Boursin Cheese? ›

-Cut the Boursin cheese into small triangles. This way you can take it out of the refrigerator a few bites at a time. -Three different types of cheese are always a nice variety but if you only have one or two, that works as well. Cheese Boards are always made with what you have in your fridge and pantry.

Is it safe to eat out of date Boursin? ›

Boursin typically keeps for about two weeks in the refrigerator after opening. However, if your Boursin is unopened, it should last up to four weeks past the sell-by date printed on the packaging (always double-check though).

Is Boursin goat or cow cheese? ›

Boursin is the brand name a soft, spreadable cow's milk cheese originally from Normandy France. Boursin was originally made by a man named François Boursin from the town of Gournay in Normandy, in 1957. It was inspired the local practice of mixing soft cheeses with herbs.

Is Boursin the same as brie? ›

Brie is a classic soft cheese with a rich, creamy texture and a mild, slightly nutty flavor. Boursin is a French cheese with a similar texture to Brie, but with added herbs and spices for a more complex flavor profile.

What kind of cheese is Laughing Cow? ›

What is the Laughing Cow made of? The Laughing Cow is creamy and delicious because of its secret recipe that includes skimmed milk and a variety of cheeses (Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Emmental, Comté …) melted and blended in a way similar to a cheese fondue.

References

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