Boursin Cheese vs Fromage Frais Cheese
Boursin Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Fromage Frais Cheese is fresh soft, originating in France.
What Is Boursin Cheese?
Boursin is a French brand of soft, fresh Gournay-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and cream with herbs mixed in. It spreads easily, crumbles a little, and is best known for its original garlic and fine herbs flavour.
What Is Fromage Frais Cheese?
Fromage frais is an acid-coagulated fresh cheese from northern France and southern Belgium, sold with its live cultures still active. It looks and eats much like yogurt, and turns up in desserts, on bread under jam, and in savoury cooking.
What's the Difference Between Boursin Cheese and Fromage Frais Cheese?
- Texture: Boursin Cheese (Soft and creamy), Fromage Frais Cheese (fresh soft)
- Taste: Boursin Cheese (Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive), Fromage Frais Cheese (milky, smooth)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Boursin Cheese | Fromage Frais Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Normandy | Northern France And Southern Belgium |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | — |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft and creamy | Fresh soft |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | Fresh (not aged) | — |
| Taste | Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive | Milky, smooth |
Taste Comparison: Does Boursin Cheese Taste Like Fromage Frais Cheese?
Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Fromage Frais Cheese brings milky, smooth character. On the nose, Boursin Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Fromage Frais Cheese's mild.
Can You Substitute Boursin Cheese for Fromage Frais Cheese?
Boursin Cheese can stand in for Fromage Frais Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh soft. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive while Fromage Frais Cheese brings milky, smooth notes.
Which Is Better, Boursin Cheese or Fromage Frais Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and creamy cheese, go with Boursin Cheese. For a fresh soft profile, Fromage Frais Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese suits recipes that want garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive notes, while Fromage Frais Cheese fits dishes calling for milky, smooth.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boursin Cheese the same as Fromage Frais Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses.
Is Boursin Cheese similar to Fromage Frais Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Boursin Cheese for Fromage Frais Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Boursin Cheese taste like Fromage Frais Cheese?
Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Fromage Frais Cheese is milky, smooth. Aromas also diverge. Boursin Cheese leans mild, and Fromage Frais Cheese is closer to mild.
What is Boursin Cheese made of?
Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (not aged). It originates in France.
What is Fromage Frais Cheese made of?
Fromage Frais Cheese is made from milk. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Boursin Cheese or Fromage Frais Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boursin Cheese is soft and creamy, while Fromage Frais Cheese is fresh soft.