Brie Bites

Producer

Bongrain / Ile de France

Country

France

Weight

0.9 oz

Website

www.iledefrancecheese.com

Milk

Cow

Treatment

Pasteurised

Classification

Semi Soft

Rennet

Vegetable

Rind

Mold Ripened

Style

Soft-Ripened (Brie-like)

The history of Bongrain dates back to 1920 in Illoud, France, when Jean- Noel Bongrain, at only 19 years of age, inherited the small family business of Fromagerie d’Illoud (as it was then called). By the early 1950’s, Bongrain began to develop the family business in a new direction, seeking to break away from the traditional French cheeses. Jean- Noel‘s vision was to produce a nationally-branded cheese, an idea that was unheard of at the time in France. He wanted to create recipes that would not only be unique in taste but could be reproduced throughout the various regions of the country.

The first cheese to be made along these lines was ‘Caprice des Dieux’, first produced in 1950. Having penetrated the French market, Bongrain then launched further afield, and by 1960 was selling cheese in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. Today, Bongrain is France’s second largest cheese and dairy producer and 5th largest in the world. The group currently operates production facilities in 24 counties. Many cheeses are distributed in the United States under the Ile de France brand name. 

Newly released by Ile de France, Brie Bites are a resized version of the traditional French classic. Packaged into individually sealed containers, the bite-sized discs are produced using a combination of cow’s milk and cream. 

Tasting Notes

With a much thinner rind, Brie Bites lack some of the mushroomy, earthy notes that one would expect to find in a traditional brie. Paste is slightly sticky and oozing, with a buttery and creamy flavor. 

Pairings

Pair Brie Bites with a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Pinot Noir.