Whenever I purchase cheese, I try to seek out something new, a fromage I've never sampled before. With well over a thousand varieties available around the world and even more styles of cheeses being made at any given time, it shouldn't be a problem to find a surprise, but given the restrictions on importing, not all kinds of cheese are available in a specific area. Therefore, when I stumble upon a product I've never seen before, even better when it's petite and cute, I can't resist.
My usual hunting ground for unique cheese is Whole Foods. They have a good selection of local, national, and international varieties. When I stumbled upon the Petite Breakfast Brie from Marin French Cheese Co. the other day, I was intrigued. I had never heard of a fresh brie, unaged and impishly naked without a rind. I immediately placed my little find in the shopping cart.
A day or two after my shopping trip, I was out walking and saw a mushroom that reminded me of my purchase! What are the chances? I had to snap a photo because I didn’t think anyone would believe me.
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| This mushroom looks like my cheese. |
Contrary to what I expected, Marin French Cheese Co is located in California, not France. Petaluma, California, is where the "cheese factory", as it was once called, has been producing fine cheeses since the late 1800s. This gives their business the honor of being the oldest cheese company in the USA. In addition to their flagship breakfast Brie, they also carry traditional aged soft-ripened cheeses. One look at the images of these beauties on their website is enough to make your mouth water. Some are covered in herbs or seasonings, while others are speckled with truffles. The rest take a less-is-more approach and are presented in their natural forms.
Marin French Cheese Company prides itself on using traditional techniques. Their award-winning cheeses are made in small batches, and though they don't outright say it, I suspect each product is made with a great deal of love in addition to care. You can read more about the incredible story of this long-lasting company in one of their blog posts at the following link: The Story
I wasn't sure what to expect when sampling the Petite Breakfast Brie. It looks so darn cute, and I really wanted to absolutely love it. But this cheese was specifically created to provide added protein for hard-working individuals at their morning meal. It's not meant to be a fancy or gourmet cheese. However, with the right pairings, there's no reason it can't be elevated. The truth is, though, it's a bit of an acquired taste.
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| The Petite Breakfast Brie is very cute |
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| A top view of the Petite Breakfast Brie |
The aroma that escapes upon removing the cellophane wrapper is sour and slightly sweet, a little like sour cream. Without a rind or any aging, this vegetarian cheese lacks the earthy, nutty, or mushroom flavors that are typically found in its bloomy rind cousins. It's far less complex than a true Brie, and it's not as tangy. Because any sweetness is not pronounced, the petite round ends up tasting rather ordinary. In terms of allure, it's not as forgettable as a plain girl, but also not as memorable as a superstar. Still, there's a certain Je ne sais quoi about it, something that pulls you back for another sample.
While the taste is similar to sour cream, it has a bit more salt and a slightly bitter finish that creeps up in the back of the palate. People often compare this breakfast provision to thick cream cheese, which is also accurate; it's just milder, less tangy with fewer sweet notes and more bitter undertones. It's a dark and mysterious, sturdier version of cream cheese.
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| The Petite Breakfast Brie is great as a snack food. |
This fresh, rindless Brie has a texture that's creamy and smooth, also similar to an extra-firm version of cream cheese, but with more structure. It's another product that leaves traces of teeth marks when you bite into it. The Petite Breakfast Brie will coat your mouth, but it’s not gloopy or sticky and actually spreads like cold butter. Heated, though, it becomes soupy and runny, but, melted or not, the flavor remains very mild. It’s good on toast and tastes like a cream cheese with much more depth.
Because the Petite Breakfast Brie is so mild, it can pair well with either sweet or savory flavors, and in this case, I prefer the sweet couplings. In fact, it's actually better when it mingles with other provisions than it is on its own. Its petite size makes it ideal for transporting in a picnic basket to a nice park, in a lunch box to school or work, or in a pocket for a snack later when the urge arises.
As I mentioned before, this isn’t an ideal product for baking. It’s best served cool or at room temperature if the weather isn't too warm. Try it with Rustic Bakery Artisan Crisps, sliced green apples and honey, or roasted almonds. Plop a wedge of it on some nicely toasted French bread or some honey whole wheat toast and a scoop of strawberry or fig jam, and you won't be disappointed. As a snack, you can try it with trail mix, one that contains dried fruits. For savory combinations, serve it with prosciutto or caramelized onions and plain crackers.
As far as what to drink with this cheese, because it is a breakfast cheese, a mimosa or spicy Bloody Mary wouldn't be out of the question. Why not? If you're planning on coffee with your morning meal, try the Lifeboost light roasted variety. For later-day samplings, stay away from IPAs because, in this case, bitter with bitter isn't ideal. A fruity or wheat beer would be a better option. It also goes well with sparkling wine, Pinot noir, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc.
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| A mimosa pairs well with the Petite Breakfast Brie |
