Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Boursin, Babybel, Laughing Cow Museum and more

I was sampling cheeses at a wine and dinner party in Hayes, England, when I was particularly taken by the flavour and texture of a soft, crumbly, garlicky cheese which I later discovered was Boursin. Boursin is not a region nor a type of cheese but a brand name. I was intrigued to read about their origin on the website and in Wikipedia.

The cheese making business started with a Mr Bel and family back in the late 1800s in France. Over the next century or two they spread to Belgium and Switzerland, the UK and USA, even as far away as Syria.

The company employed artists and film makers. Their notable verbal and visual success was the Laughing cow brand. Individual portions are a feature. B a b y b e l is one I recognize.

Now I have added Boursin to my favourites. It reminds me of another favourite.

I like Gaperon d'Auvergne, which is another soft garlicky cheese, but an acquired taste and hard to find outside France. You can get it, intermittently, at the speciality cheese shops in London such as Paxton and Whitfield near Piccadilly.

Also try to make a stop for coffee and shopping at the La Fromagerie cheese shop and greengrocer . You perch on the seat in coffee shop, better seats in the small restaurant. It's located near Marylebone Road, a quick walk from Baker Street station (Madame Tussaud's and Sherlock Holmes museums, if you are in London).

So it's a great find to discover Boursin, readily available in UK supermarkets such as Waitrose. You'll  probably also find Boursin in your local supermarket, wherever you live and travel.


  • Laughing Cow Museum, France

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lons-le-Saunier

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

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