Boursin Cheese vs Requeson

Boursin Cheese is a soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Requeson is fresh and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Brazil and Portugal.

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 Requeson?

Requeson, better known as requeijão, is a whey cheese made in Portugal and Brazil. It is close to ricotta and turns up in cheese spreads and in pastries such as queijada.

What's the Difference Between Boursin Cheese and Requeson?

• Origin: Boursin Cheese (France), Requeson (Brazil and Portugal)
• Milk type: Boursin Cheese (Cow's milk), Requeson (Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Boursin Cheese (Pasteurized), Requeson (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Boursin Cheese (Soft, creamy), Requeson (Fresh)
• Rind: Boursin Cheese (None), Requeson (rindless)
• Taste: Boursin Cheese (Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive), Requeson (salty, strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Boursin Cheese Taste Like Requeson?

Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Requeson brings salty, strong character. On the nose, Boursin Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Requeson's fresh.

Can You Substitute Boursin Cheese for Requeson?

Boursin Cheese can stand in for Requeson in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for fresh. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive while Requeson brings salty, strong notes.

Which Is Better, Boursin Cheese or Requeson?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Boursin Cheese. For a fresh profile, Requeson is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese suits recipes that want garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive notes, while Requeson fits dishes calling for salty, strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boursin Cheese the same as Requeson?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Boursin Cheese originates in France, while Requeson comes from Brazil and Portugal. Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk; Requeson uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Boursin Cheese similar to Requeson?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Boursin Cheese for Requeson?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Boursin Cheese taste like Requeson?

Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Requeson is salty, strong. Aromas also diverge. Boursin Cheese leans mild, and Requeson is closer to fresh.

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 Requeson made of?

Requeson is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Brazil and Portugal.

Which should I choose, Boursin Cheese or Requeson?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boursin Cheese is soft, creamy, while Requeson is fresh.