Boursin is a brand of
Gournay cheese
Cheese is a dairy product produced in wide ranges of flavors, textures, and forms by coagulation of the milk protein casein. It comprises proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. During production, ...
. It is a soft creamy cheese available in a variety of flavours, with a flavour and texture somewhat similar to
cream cheese
Cream cheese is a soft, usually mild-tasting fresh cheese made from milk and cream.Oxford English Dictionary Stabilizers such as carob bean gum and carrageenan are often added in industrial production.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration de ...
.
The first Boursin flavour, Garlic and Fine Herbs, was created in 1957 by François Boursin, a cheese maker from
Normandy
Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
. Boursin's product was derived from a traditional party dish, fromage frais (French for "fresh cheese"); guests would take their cheese and add herbs for flavour. His recipe would be the first flavoured cheese product to be sold nationally in France.
Boursin cheese was first developed in
Normandy
Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
, and at one time was produced exclusively in
Croisy-sur-Eure
Croisy-sur-Eure (, literally ''Croisy on Eure'') is a commune in the Eure department in northern France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas ...
, France, by the Boursin company. In 1990, the Boursin name was acquired by
Unilever
Unilever plc is a British multinational consumer goods company with headquarters in London, England. Unilever products include food, condiments, bottled water, baby food, soft drink, ice cream, instant coffee, cleaning agents, energy drink, t ...
, who sold it to
Groupe Bel
The Bel Group (a.k.a. Groupe Bel or Fromageries Bel in French) is a multinational cheese marketer centered in France.
Overview
The Bel Group is headquartered at 2 allée de Longchamp in Suresnes (near Paris). It manufactures and distributes pr ...
in November 2007 for €400 million.
Advertising
The brand was advertised on television from 1 October 1968 on, when French television allowed commercial breaks for the first time.
In 1972 their iconic advertising slogan: "Du pain, du vin, du Boursin" (English: "Some bread, some wine, some Boursin") was launched.
This slogan was later modified to "Du pain, du Boursin, on est bien" ("Some bread, some Boursin, we are good.")
Flavours
* Garlic & Fine Herbs (1963-present)
* Pepper (1966-present)
* Fig & Walnut (2004-present)
* Shallot & Chive (2007-present)
* Red Chili Pepper (2014-present)
* Cranberry & Spice (originally a limited edition flavor in US, sold as Cranberry & Pepper in France, currently sold as Cranberry & Pepper in Canada)
* Basil & Chive (2017-present)
* Caramelized Onion & Herbs (2021-present)
Limited edition flavours
* Maple Bourbon (2018)
* Apple Cinnamon (2020)
* Maple Apple (2020)
* Fig & Basalmic (2020)
* Chimichurri (2022)
Discontinued flavours
* Fig, Raisin & Nut (2007-?)
* Garlic & Roasted Red Pepper
* Tomato & Mediterranean Herbs (2012-?)
* Goat Cheese & Rosemary (2013-?)
See also
*
Roule cheese
Roule cheese is a French cheese with a soft and creamy texture, that is usually flavoured with herbs and garlic. It was initially made by the Tablanette Fromagerie in the 1980s in the Centre region of France. About 45% of its calories come from ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boursin (Cheese)
French cheeses
Cow's-milk cheeses
Norman cuisine
Products introduced in 1957
Former Unilever brands