The “Velvety Smooth” New French Cheese I’m Bringing to Every Party I’m Invited To (It’s So Delicious)

There’s one outdoor activity I look forward to every year once the weather’s warm enough: picnics. What better way to enjoy the outdoors than with some delicious food (and smiling faces)? IMO, no picnic is complete without a cheese board — and one staple I always have on mine is Brie. 

While an entire wheel is great for a large group, it’s a little excessive when picnicking with a smaller crowd. Who wants to risk leftovers baking in the sun or needing to haul extra cheese back home? Not me, and not anymore. 

Fromager d’Affinois just launched ingenious new (and very portable) Petit d’Affinois Double Cream cubes of Brie — perfectly sized for smaller gatherings. I got a sneak taste, and I have big plans for these mini blocks this summer. Here’s why. 

Fromager d’Affinois is no novice when it comes to cheesemaking. Launched in 1981 by passionate cheese-lover Jean-Claude Guilloteau and based out of the French countryside (Pélussin and Belley, to be specific), the company specializes in cheese made using the savoir-faire ultra-filtration technique. (It breaks down fat molecules in milk so they’re more evenly distributed, resulting in a super-rich texture.) 

The brand is repackaging its award-winning Fromager d’Affinois Le Fromager double-crème Brie into cute, cube-shaped on-the-go packs (think: a tiny bit smaller than a block of standard Post-it notes). The cubes are 5.29 ounces (150 grams) each and are a permanent addition to the brand’s lineup.

As the name suggests, Petit d’Affinois Double Cream contains 60% butterfat from pasteurized cream (higher than what’s typically found in Brie). It’s also made with pasteurized cow’s milk, salt, cheese cultures, and enzymes. The cheese has a thin rind (another brand signature) and is naturally vegetarian and lactose-free. 

Fromager d’Affinois also launched an ultra-rich Petit d’Affinois Triple Cream, and plans to release additional flavors in the near future. Unlike the standard wheels or slices, the petite packs have an extended shelf life of 90 days. You can find Fromager d’Affinois Petit d’Affinois Double Cream at grocery stores and specialty cheese shops nationwide, such as Kroger, Whole Foods, ShopRite, Fairway, Murray’s Cheese, and Zabar’s. Pricing will vary per retailer.

The first thing I noticed, naturally, was the packaging. Fromager d’Affinois Petit d’Affinois Double Cream comes in an adorable little box, and the cheese itself is pristinely wrapped in a thick wax paper. It feels like opening up a present.

I decided to make a mini cheese board for myself to test it out with some crackers, toasted almonds, and dried cranberries. The Brie cuts like a hot knife through butter, is velvety-smooth, and spreads like a dream. I tried some alone and on a cracker. 

It was super creamy and silky, with a mild, buttery taste. The thin rind (the perfect amount for those who don’t want a ton, like me) adds a tiny bit more funk and salty flavor.