Brie Delivery or Pickup

If you hear the word Brie and immediately envision an outdoor picnic with cheese, a baguette, and the Eiffel Tower in the background, you're not alone. Soft, creamy, buttery Brie originated in France in Seine-et-Marne.

Today, the cheese is produced internationally. The creamy interior is encased in a soft, bloomy rind of white mold. Traditional Brie is made from cow's milk, but you can also find Brie varieties made from goat's milk. Brie is high in fat and a good source of various nutrients, including calcium, protein, vitamin A, and vitamin B-6.

When you bite into a piece of Brie, expect a creamy, runny, soft texture. The edible rind is soft and bloomy, and is considered a delicacy. The off-white cheese delivers a flavor that is fruity, buttery, and rich. The taste grows more earthy as the cheese ages.

Authentic French Brie cannot be imported into the United States, but France exports a stabilized version of the delicious cheese that you can purchase here. This soft-ripened cheese has a creamy and white interior and a white rind. This version is typically made from cow's milk. Since stabilized French Brie is cut before the Brie matures, it has a longer shelf life. Stabilized Brie also delivers a buttery, rich, smooth flavor such as the traditional version made from raw milk, although Brie made from pasteurized milk tends to have a milder flavor.

These popular versions of Brie are produced beyond France's borders, too. You'll find Brie produced in the United States as well as other international locations. You can buy domestic and international Brie products made from pasteurized whole cow's milk or skim cow's milk. Goat's milk versions are also widely available.

You will want to keep Brie in the original packaging and refrigerate it until you want to eat it. To enjoy the best possible flavor and texture, give the cheese about an hour after removing it from the refrigerator to get to room temperature before you consume it. If you have an uneaten portion, you can wrap the cheese in its original wrapping or use waxed paper to refrigerate it again. You can typically store Brie for up to 2 weeks.

Before you dive into the delicious cheese, take a moment to inspect it. Brie's rind should appear white and fresh. The disc of cheese should feel plump in the box or container. Watch for any brown, slimy, or wet spots since these unattractive blemishes can also indicate that the cheese has gone bad.

You can freeze Brie for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap Brie wedges tightly in plastic wrap and place the wrapped cheese in a resealable bag, making sure you have compressed all of the air from the bag. Let brie defrost overnight in your refrigerator when you're ready to eat it. Use defrosted brie within 2 days. 

Keep in mind that freezing can affect the cheese's consistency. You'll likely need to reserve frozen brie for cooked dishes.