
Boursin is a brand of soft, triple cream cheese mixed with various flavourful and aromatic ingredients. It was created by François Boursin in 1957 and inspired by the common French party treat, fromage frais. Boursin is made from Gournay cheese, a type of cow's milk cheese, and is usually flavoured with garlic and fine herbs, although other varieties are available. The cheese is soft, spreadable, and crumbly, and can be used in a variety of dishes, from cheese boards to mashed potatoes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Soft triple cream cheese |
| Base Cheese | Gournay cheese |
| Milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Soft, crumbly, spreadable |
| Flavours | Garlic and Fine Herbs, Cracked Black Pepper, Shallot and Chive, Basil and Chive, Caramelized Onion and Herbs, Fig and Balsamic, Black Truffle and Sea Salt |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized cultured milk and cream, dried garlic, salt, white pepper, parsley, dried chives, butter, parmesan cheese |
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What You'll Learn

Boursin is a brand of soft triple cream cheese
Boursin cheese is a versatile and popular ingredient, with its soft, spreadable texture and variety of flavours. It can be easily made at home, with recipes calling for cream cheese, butter, garlic, and various herbs and seasonings. The homemade version is said to taste very similar to the original Boursin cheese and can be a more economical and fresh alternative.
The brand has expanded its product line to include a range of flavours beyond the original garlic and fine herbs, such as cracked black pepper, shallot and chive, basil and chive, and caramelized onion and herbs. Boursin has become a staple at social gatherings and holiday celebrations, often featured on cheese boards and paired with crackers, bread, and wine.
The success of Boursin cheese can be attributed to its unique flavour combinations, soft texture, and marketing campaigns. In 1972, Boursin launched a national TV ad campaign featuring a famous French comedian, which helped to increase its popularity. Today, Boursin cheese is sold in over 130 countries and is one of the most well-known brands of Bel Groupe, a family-owned cheese maker headquartered near Paris, France.
Boursin cheese has a distinct flavour and texture that sets it apart from other cheeses. Its triple cream base and versatile flavour combinations make it a favourite among cheese enthusiasts and home cooks alike. The brand has continued to innovate and expand its product offerings, ensuring that Boursin remains a popular choice for those looking to elevate their culinary creations.
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It is made with pasteurized cultured milk and cream
Boursin is a brand of soft triple cream cheese mixed with flavorful aromatic ingredients. It is made with pasteurized cultured milk and cream. The base cheese is milky, sweet, and very light, making it a perfect vehicle for all sorts of ingredients, from savory herbs to sweet fruits to spicy peppers. The variety most people are familiar with is the original Garlic and Fine Herbs, which is made with dried garlic, salt, white pepper, parsley, and dried chives. This variety was first introduced in 1963 and quickly became a household name in France.
The story of Boursin cheese began with François Boursin, a young Normandy cheesemaker who opened a cheese factory in Croisy-sur-Eure, France, in 1957. For years, he quietly worked to perfect his signature cheese, which was inspired by the common French party treat called fromage frais—a combination of fresh cheese, cream, herbs, salt, pepper, and garlic. In 1961, a French newspaper mistakenly reported the launch of Boursin infused with garlic, and although François had no such recipe, he quickly got to work to meet the public's demand. Finally, in 1963, he introduced his authentic Gournay cheese and garlic creation to the world.
Gournay cheese, also known as fromage de Gournay, is a soft, crumbly, spreadable cheese similar to cream cheese but with a crumblier texture. Boursin is made by mixing cream cheese and butter to achieve this signature texture, and the base cheese mixture can be flavored with a wide variety of ingredients. In addition to the original Garlic and Fine Herbs variety, Boursin has expanded its flavor offerings over the years to include Cracked Black Pepper, Shallot and Chive, Basil and Chive, Caramelized Onion and Herbs, Fig and Balsamic, and limited-edition Black Truffle and Sea Salt, among others.
Boursin's soft, spreadable consistency and unique flavor profiles make it a versatile ingredient in many dishes. It can be enjoyed as a spread on crackers, toast, or vegetables, or as a dip. It also adds a creamy, savory element to mashed potatoes, pasta, lasagna, mac and cheese, salads, stuffed mushrooms, chicken breast, burgers, omelets, and chili. Its high water content makes it ideal for melting, although it may become a bit runny.
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It is flavoured with garlic and fine herbs
Boursin is a brand of soft triple cream cheese mixed with flavourful aromatic ingredients. The original Boursin cheese is flavoured with garlic and fine herbs, and it is usually what people mean when they refer to Boursin cheese. The garlic and fine herbs variety was created by François Boursin in 1963 and was served at celebrations and gatherings throughout France, quickly becoming a household name.
The garlic and fine herbs variety of Boursin is made with dried garlic, salt, white pepper, parsley, and dried chives. The garlic used is usually a small clove, as anything larger would overpower the cheese. The herbs de Provence used in Boursin is a miraculous blend of fennel, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, tarragon, basil, mint, and a few other optional additions. The fine herbs used in Boursin can be either fresh or dried, and they add amazing herb flavour to the cheese.
Boursin cheese is very versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. It is commonly used as a spread for crackers and bread or as a dip for vegetables. It can also be added to mashed potatoes, pasta, lasagna, mac and cheese, salads, stuffed mushrooms, chicken breast, burgers, omelets, or chilli. The creamy and crumbly texture of Boursin cheese makes it a perfect addition to many recipes.
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It is a French cheese, created by François Boursin
Boursin is a French cheese, created by François Boursin in 1957. Boursin is a brand of soft triple cream cheese mixed with flavourful aromatic ingredients. It is a soft, crumbly, spreadable cheese with a base of Gournay cheese, which is similar to cream cheese but crumblier. François Boursin opened a cheese factory in Croisy-sur-Eure, a small community nestled in northern France, and worked quietly for years trying to perfect his signature cheese.
The story of Boursin cheese began with François Boursin's inspiration from the common French party treat called "fromage frais", which combines fresh cheese and herbs. In 1961, a French newspaper mistakenly reported the launch of Boursin infused with garlic, and although François had no such recipe, he quickly got to work to meet the public's demand. For two years, he worked on his own original recipe inspired by "fromage frais", and in 1963, he introduced his authentic Gournay cheese and garlic creation to the world.
Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese quickly became a household name, served at celebrations and gatherings throughout France. Boursin is now one of the most popular brands manufactured by Bel Brands USA Inc., a subsidiary of Bel Groupe, a family-owned cheese maker headquartered near Paris, France. Boursin is known for its variety of flavours, with the original version being garlic and fine herbs, but it has expanded to include other flavours such as basil and chive, caramelized onion and herbs, and fig and balsamic.
Boursin's soft, spreadable consistency and versatile flavour make it a popular choice for cheese boards, crackers, toast, or even as a dip for vegetables. It is also commonly used in cooking, adding a creamy and savoury herb flavour to dishes such as mashed potatoes, pasta, lasagna, mac and cheese, salads, and more.
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It can be made at home with cream cheese, butter and garlic
Boursin is a brand of soft triple cream cheese mixed with aromatic ingredients. The original variety is garlic and fine herbs, but it has expanded to include flavours like basil and chive, caramelized onion and herbs, fig and balsamic, and limited edition black truffle and sea salt.
Boursin is made from Gournay cheese, a soft, crumbly, spreadable cow's milk cheese. The cheese was created by François Boursin, who opened a cheese factory in Croisy-sur-Eure, France, in 1957. Inspired by the French party treat, fromage frais, Boursin cheese is now a popular brand manufactured by Bel Brands USA Inc.
Boursin-style cheese can be made at home with cream cheese, butter, and garlic. The base cheese mixture (butter and cream cheese) can be flavoured with just about anything, so don't limit yourself to just herbs! You can also add a bit of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a salty and tangy flavour. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 (8 oz.) block of cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 oz. of butter, at room temperature
- 1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely minced or grated
- 3 Tbsp shredded Parmesan (optional)
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning (optional)
Directions:
- Mix the cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until well combined.
- Add the garlic and any other desired seasonings and mix well.
- Pack the mixture into a container and store it in the refrigerator.
- To serve, bring the cheese to room temperature and enjoy with crackers, bread, or vegetables.
Your homemade Boursin should last about 10-12 days in the fridge, although it likely won't last that long!
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Frequently asked questions
Boursin is a brand of soft triple cream cheese mixed with flavorful aromatic ingredients. It is made from Gournay cheese, which is similar to cream cheese but crumblier.
Gournay cheese is a cow's milk cheese. It is a soft, crumbly, spreadable cheese with a milky, sweet, and very light base.
Boursin is most notable for its variety of flavors. The original version is garlic and fine herbs, but it has expanded to include flavors like basil and chive, caramelized onion and herbs, fig and balsamic, and black truffle and sea salt.























