How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président® (2024)

Centuries ago, Brie was given as tribute to French Kings. It’s easy to taste why, especially when you know how to eat Brie.

Soft and creamy, with a mild yet deeply-satisfying taste, Président Brie is a staple at any memorable gathering. Whether you are a newcomer to this wonderful cheese, or a veritable cheeseboard veteran, let us provide you with some expert tips and tricks on how to eat Brie just like the French do.

How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président® (1)

When To Serve Brie

Brie is ready to serve when it’s ripe: the outside will be firm, while the insidewill be slightly bouncy and resilient. Underripe Brie can be stiff to the touch, while overripe Brie may be creamier and almost runny.

Traditionally, the French give cheese its own dedicated course at a meal, served just before dessert. However, serving cheese at a party or for an appetizer is widely accepted (and with good reason). Don’t hesitate toopen your gathering, dinner party, or snacksessionwith delectable Brie.

How To Eat Brie

Soft, creamy brie is a versatile cheese that can be served as an appetizer, dessert, or part of the main course. While brie is normally served with crusty bread or crackers, it can be paired with a variety of fruits, nuts, or honey. Allowing your culinary creations to be as adventurous as you are.

To eat Brie, first remove it from your refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the brie to become softer and more flavorful as it warms.

Once softened, simply slice your brie into small wedges, without removing the edible, flavorful rind. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, and pasta, your brie is ready to be enjoyed in a variety of delectable dishes.

A Quick Brie-cap:

  • Serve Brie with crusty bread or crackers.
  • Pair Brie with fruits, such as apples, pears, or grapes.
  • Add Brie to salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
  • Do not remove the edible, flavorful rind.

How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président® (2)

WhatFoodTo Serve With Brie

Brie has a sumptuous yet delicate flavor. When picking things to accompany brie, it is important to enhancethese qualities without overwhelming them.The French will traditionally serve Brie with baguette or another crusty bread that won’tcompetewiththe cheese. Plain crackers are another convenient choicethat won’t detract from thecheese.

PairingBrie with something acidic will bring out its velvety texture – try fruitslike apples, grapes, or pears, or sweet and zippy sides like fig jam or honey. If the occasion calls for something more substantial,try earthy nuts like unsalted pecans or candied walnuts, or laying outacharcuterie alongsidecheese options.

Of course, what better to pair withBriethan more cheese?Having multiple cheeses to choose from will thrill your guests. For aesthetic purposes, we recommend having an odd number of cheeses on a cheese plate. Arranging them according to flavor, from mildest to strongest will ensure a fantastic taste experience. For instance, try starting with Président Brie for its creamy texture, building to nutty Président Don Bernardo Manchego, and finishing the journey with delectable Président Le Bleu.

Beyond these basic ideas for pairing, the options are endless. If you would like to keep exploring how to eat Brie,Président hasa myriad ofseasonal cheese plate ideas. Président’sguide to putting together the perfect cheese and charcuterie plate is also sure to inspire.

How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président® (3)

What To Drink With Brie

The go-tobeveragetopair with Brie is champagne. But Brie also pairs fantastically with certain wines and beers. Soft and fruity red wines, such as Pinot Noir, will contrast beautifully with the mellowness of Brie.Acidic, herbaceous, dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc will also work well.

Try pairing hearty beers, like Scotch Ale, Stout, or Porter,with Brie. Additionally, beer that is on the fruiter side, or a highly carbonated Pilsner, will enhance any Brie experience. And if alcohol isn’t on the menu, light and fresh fruit juices like apple or grape juice pairperfectly.

How To Store Brie Properly

Cutting into Brie halts the ripening process. At this point, eat the cheese within the next several days, or refrigerate it untilyour next snacking occasion.

The trick is to wrap the remaining cheese in waxed paper or parchment paper – avoid using plastic wrap for fresh Brie. This will allow the rind to continue to breathe and stay dry.

How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président® (4)

Beyond Cheese Plates

Once you know how to eat Brie, there areendless optionsformaking use of its creamy, desirable flavor. If room temperature Brie is silken and soft, then warm, baked Brie is positively luxurious.Président has many recipes to get you startedbaking Brie, andin warmer months, tryplacinga wheel on the grill. Brie alsoworks fantastically as avelvety ingredient in many delightful dishes, like a decadent stuffed pork chop, or on top of sought-after sliders. Bon appétit!

How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président® (2024)

FAQs

How To Eat Brie Just Like The French Do – Président®? ›

Pair Brie with fruits, such as apples, pears, or grapes. Add Brie to salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Do not remove the edible, flavorful rind.

How do the French eat Brie? ›

The French enjoy brie as its own course before dessert and honestly, brie deserves a moment. But brie can also be a great appetizer, paired with fruit, meat, puff pastry, jam, or crackers. Acidity is a lovely counterpart to this cheese's creamy, velvety nature. It spreads perfectly on bread for a quick snack any time.

Can you eat the outside of President Brie? ›

Yes, the bloomy rind is completely safe to eat and even keeps the inside safe from any potentially unwanted microorganisms during production. The rind on Brie not only protects and encases the cheese – it also adds a subtle, earthy flavor. With a soft and tender texture, it is meant to complement the paste inside.

How do you eat Brie traditionally? ›

Brie is a soft French cheese made from cow's milk that has a smooth and creamy texture. If you're unfamiliar with the cheese, it also has a white rind over it that is edible. It is traditionally cut into small wedges and eaten with plain bread or crackers. You could also pair it with all sorts of toppings and drinks.

How is President Brie cheese served? ›

Spread on top of a slice of fruit or bread, or include the resealable tub on your platter as a dip for fruits and veggies. It's a must-have at any gathering.

What's the difference between French Brie and regular Brie? ›

France's Finest. The difference between good Brie and mediocre Brie is so vast that I tend to avoid the cheese entirely. Let's face it: the best Brie is in France, where producers can use raw milk. Mediocre Brie is what you find at most supermarkets, made from pasteurized milk and dead on arrival.

What is the eating etiquette for Brie? ›

Brie etiquette

It is a general rule that you should always cut a block of cheese as to not misshapen it; that being said, it is advisable to cut Brie, as if cutting pieces of a cake, in slices. Always slice from one end, never start in the middle of the block of cheese.

Is it rude not to eat the rind on brie? ›

This is a big part of the cheesemaking process, and cheesemakers spend a lot of time doing this. It's tedious labor, and they're doing it for you, the person who should be eating the rind and paste together. They're professionals, and they want you to eat the rind. Don't let that work go unappreciated.

Is Brie good for your gut? ›

Based on some studies, there are many health benefits of eating brie cheese. According to some studies, it might reduce inflammation and improve immunity. It might also aid in digestion if had in moderation.

Should you cut the rind off Brie? ›

Not only is the rind on Brie safe to eat but it may even keep out harmful organisms that could contaminate the cheese.

Are you supposed to eat the skin on Brie? ›

Not only can you eat the rind, you should eat the rind. Technically, the rind is mold, usually Penicillium candidum, but it's good mold! The rind protects the cheese on the inside and helps to give the cheese its flavor. You're missing out on a big part of the flavor and textural experience if you do not eat the rind.

Is brie better with crackers or bread? ›

When picking things to accompany brie, it is important to enhance these qualities without overwhelming them. The French will traditionally serve Brie with baguette or another crusty bread that won't compete with the cheese. Plain crackers are another convenient choice that won't detract from the cheese.

Should Brie be eaten hot or cold? ›

You can eat it at room temperature, hot, spread it on a cracker, slice it in a sandwich, melt it, top it, and the list goes on. What is this? Should brie be served warm or cold? It's best if you serve it at room temperature or warm for the best taste and texture.

How to serve French Brie? ›

Make sure to cut it into wedges, rather than slicing it as you would a block of hard cheese. You won't need to spread Brie to enjoy it — just grab it right off the cheese board. You and your guests can cut a small piece and pair it with a bite of crusty bread (especially a baguette) or some dried fruit.

What is the white stuff on Brie? ›

That marshmallowy white stuff on the outside of your brie is called a bloomy rind. These cheeses are coated with edible molds, such as Penicillium candidum. The cheeses ripen from the outside-inwards. Sometimes, a seductive gooey layer called the “creamline” forms around the fudgy interior.

How is Brie supposed to be eaten? ›

How to Eat Brie Cheese
  1. Most cheese experts agree that Brie is best enjoyed at room temperature. ...
  2. Additionally, it's best to cut a wheel or wedge of Brie from the center point to the outer edge of the rind to get the most flavor out of it.
Dec 2, 2023

Should Brie be served warm or cold? ›

It's recommended that brie cheese always be served: Serve Brie either at room temperature or warmed (never chilled), to bring out its creamy texture. As a full wheel or in pie-like slices, to allow each slice equal amounts of rind.

What is the etiquette for cheese in France? ›

Don't spread the cheese like butter. The correct way to enjoy your cheese in France is to gently place a small piece of cheese on a bite-sized morsel of the bread and then put it nicely into your mouth. According to French dining etiquette the platter of cheese should be passed around to each guest.

Do you eat The rind on Brie? ›

Yes, the soft “crust” of brie, called a bloomy rind, is edible. It grows when the beneficial molds and bacteria used in making cheese are sprayed onto the surface of the cheese before aging. The mold then produces enzymes which help the cheese ripen from the outside in (opposite of how hard cheeses ripen).

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