Is there a truer love than a love of cheese? I don’t believe there is. However, with so many kinds available, a cheese lover may face some commitment issues.
Suppose you were feeling yourself today and bought a bowl full of Boursin cheese. Halfway through eating it, you realize you’re on a diet. Oh no, what do we do with all this delicious Boursin? Well, not to worry because in this article we’ll see exactly how we can preserve it with freezing.
So you might wonder: Can you freeze Boursin cheese? Yes, you can freeze Boursin cheese. If you prepare it carefully and follow the steps I show you below, it will usually keep in the freezer for about 6 months. Read on to learn the best way to freeze it.
What is Boursin Cheese?
Boursin cheese, also known as Gournay cheese, was created by the French chef François Boursin, in 1957. It was the first commercial cheese to be advertised by French television in 1968. The cheese is also surprisingly affordable, despite its exotic French origin.
The cheese is cream cheese, garlic, herbs, and sometimes, butter. Easily confused for cream cheese, it has a different make-up compared to its softer cheese counterpart.
The cheese is only sold in portions of 150 grams, so freezing it rarely ever necessary, but if you have some leftovers from the dinner party you threw on Sunday night, this article is for you.
Is it a Good Idea to Freeze Boursin?
It is usually considered unwise to freeze softer cheeses, as it may cause them to lose part of their texture or smoothness. However, Boursin sustains its quality better than other soft cheeses, and freezing it is completely safe.
Keeping Boursin in the freezer for 5-6 months does not lead to much quality loss, however, any additional time in it may cause deterioration.
The deterioration occurs due to the moisture in the Boursin cheese. Being a softer cheese, it contains more moisture than a harder cheese. Therefore, when frozen, the water inside it turns to ice and expands, which will not happen if you freeze parmesan cheese for instance. Upon thawing, the water turns back to its liquid form and, therefore, contracts. This expansion and contraction of the moisture lead to a change in the texture of the cheese, causing deterioration.
Therefore, it would be wise to consume it before this occurs.
How to Freeze Boursin
Freezing Boursin is fairly easy. You’ll only need cling film and a refrigerator.
Step 1 – Wrap in cling film
Boursin cheese already comes wrapped in foil, but if it gets damaged or misplaced, you should wrap it in 2 layers of cling film. This will also help reduce the garlic odor in the fridge.
Step 2 – Place it in the fridge
Place it into the fridge. You can keep it in here for 5-6 months without risking quality deterioration.
That’s all you need to do to freeze Boursin cheese.
The Best Way to Store Boursin
To ensure top-notch quality, Boursin must be refrigerated whenever it is not being eaten. The cheese can be left out for 3-4 hours before it should be refrigerated again.
How to Thaw Boursin Cheese?
Thawing cheese is basically to unfreeze it. The ice that accumulates in the cheese melts and the cheese returns to its original condition.
This process may lead to quality loss, if not performed properly.
The best way to thaw frozen cheese is to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator.
This will ensure a gradual lowering of temperature, helping the cheese maintain its texture.
How long does it take to thaw frozen cheese?
The time it takes for a cheese to thaw is primarily dependent on its density. Softer cheeses melt faster than harder cheeses. Boursin cheese will completely melt in 2-2.5 hours.
Can thawed cheese be refrozen?
Yes, thawed cheese can be refrozen if proper care is taken, but I don’t recommend it because the quality will suffer.
What can you make with Boursin?
Boursin cheese is very versatile and can be used in multitudes of dishes, ranging from delicious kinds of pasta to even as a simple appetizer in a bread and cheese combination. Boursin can even be included in dishes like burgers, fried omelets, potato wedges or salads.
Its versatility makes it incredibly useful in the kitchen, and its use enhances the flavor of every dish you put it in.
FAQs
Now we will answer some frequently asked questions about Boursin cheese. Let’s review them together.
How long can Boursin cheese last after being opened?
Boursin cheese lasts for about 2 weeks after being opened. It is recommended to be used before this period.
Which animal’s milk is used to make Boursin cheese?
Boursin cheese is made from pasteurized cow’s milk.
Why is Boursin cheese wrapped in foil?
The company producing the original Boursin cheese has made the foil its signature. They believe that it makes it easy to wrap and unwrap the cheese, and looks attractive on a cheeseboard.
Are there any good alternatives to Boursin cheese?
Yes, there are. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or want to mix up a few recipes to get a different flavor, good alternatives include Roquefort, Brie, or goat cheese. Check out this post on Boursin cheese substitutes for more options.
Summary
Boursin cheese is a unique and enticing treat, hailing from Normandy in northern France. Its amazing garlic flavor makes it an excellent treat to be included in your favorite dishes.
In this article, we discussed how to freeze Boursin and some related queries to this main question.
