What is Triple Cream Cheese?

It’s the start of November, which can only mean one thing – Christmas is coming! Supermarket shelves are already bursting with festive decorations, advent calendars, party nibbles, and, best of all… cheese! 

As I was browsing the cheese aisle, one phrase kept catching my eye: “triple cream.” These rich, indulgent cheeses always seem to make an appearance at this time of year, and if you’ve ever wondered what makes them so special (and so irresistible), you’re in the right place.

Read on to learn more about what triple cream cheese really means, how to enjoy it at its best, and where to find the most delicious ones this season.

 

What is Meant By ‘Triple Cream’ Cheese?

Triple cream cheese, also commonly called ‘fromage triple-crème’ in parts of Europe, is a cheese made from dairy milk, and has at least 75% butterfat content. 

To reach that level of fat content in its production, cheesemakers will usually add cream to the cheese, helping increase the fat percentage, and making it taste extra deliciously creamy. 

 

What is the Difference Between Double and Triple Cream Cheese?

The terms double cream and triple cream refer to how much butterfat the cheese contains – essentially, how much extra cream is added to the milk before cheesemaking begins. To illustrate, let’s take the well-known Brie as an example:

• Traditional Brie: Contains 45–60% butterfat.
• Double Cream Brie: Has a minimum of 60% butterfat.
• Triple Cream Brie: Contains more than 75% butterfat (although some cheesemongers may class cheese as triple cream at 70% butterfat.

 

What Varieties Of Triple Cream Cheese Are Out There?

Almost any soft-ripened cow’s milk cheese can be made in a triple cream version – but most commonly, you’ll find triple-cream in the Brie or Camembert family. Some fresh cheeses (like mascarpone) naturally meet triple-cream fat levels too, even if not labeled as such. Here are some of the most common types of triple cream cheese across the globe:

• French triple creams – Brillat-Savarin, Saint-André, Delice de Bourgogne, Explorateur, and Pierre Robert
• American triple creams – Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam, Champlain Triple Cream, and Kunik
• Other European styles – Fromager d’Affinois Triple Cream, Cambozola Triple Cream, and Boursault 

 

What Does Triple Cream Cheese Taste Like?

Triple cream cheese is insanely creamy. Like a rich, savoury, thick double cream. The flavour is buttery, smooth, and ever so slightly mushroomy thanks to the bloomy rind. It melts on the tongue like soft butter and leaves a luxurious, velvety finish – indulgent without being too heavy.

 

How To Eat Triple Cream Cheese

Triple cream cheeses usually have a delicate, mellow flavour, so they shine when paired with simple, complementary foods that won’t overpower their richness.

Honestly, my favourite way to enjoy it is the simplest: a generous wedge spread over a fresh, crusty baguette. But, if you’re styling it on a cheeseboard, try pairing it with:

 

• Fresh fruit – apple or pear slices, fresh figs, blackberries, dried apricots, or strawberries all balance the creaminess beautifully.
• Charcuterie – go for something rich and silky, like prosciutto or another fatty cured meat. And if you’re serving it over the festive season, a slice of smoked salmon is a unique but gorgeous combo.
• Something sweet – milk or dark chocolate pairs surprisingly well with triple cream Brie on a digestive biscuit (or even on a gingerbread cookie at Christmas time!).

 

In terms of wine pairings? Anything fizzy is the way to go. I love pairing triple cream brie with a champagne, or dry brut – it adds a lovely contrast to the rich, creamy texture of the cheese.

To learn more about the best cheese and wine pairings ahead of the festive season, read our helpful blog.

 

 

Everything You Need To Know About Cheese From Savery Grazing

There you have it, everything you need to know about the beautiful creation of triple cream cheese! If you’re based in Sheffield, Nottingham, or Derbyshire, why not order a cheese platter for your next event from Savery Grazing? We source all of our produce locally, with each of our platters using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients – including a deliciously creamy brie, and more. Get in touch to place your order!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where Can You Buy Triple Cream Cheese?

Whilst triple cream cheese is less common than your hard, soft, or crumbly varieties, it is still widely available in most large UK or US supermarkets. Try somewhere like Waitrose or Trader Joes if you’re struggling to find any.

 

Can You Freeze Triple Cream Cheese?

No – freezing creamy cheeses, particularly triple cream cheese, will make the texture grainy, which isn’t pleasant to eat. If you’ve used triple cream cheese within a dish – like mac & cheese – you could probably get away with freezing it, just not on its own. 

If you’d like to learn more about the best way to keep your cheese if you aren’t using it straight away, read our helpful blog: How To Wrap & Store Your Cheese

 

Is Triple Cream the Same as Brie?

No, not quite. ‘Brie’ is a French cheese that can have varying amounts of butterfat content. Only brie cheese that has a fat content the same or higher than 75% can be a triple cream brie. There are other types of cheese on the market, like Saint-André or Boursault, that are triple cream, but definitely not a brie cheese.

 

Can You Eat the Rind On Triple Cream Cheese?

Yes – and it is delicious! Whilst it’s not as creamy/melt-in-your-mouth, the rind on triple cream cheese is soft, edible, and adds a subtle earthy flavour that complements the buttery interior.

If you’d like to learn more about the rinds of different cheeses, and whether or not they are edible, check out our helpful guide: Can You Eat Cheese Rinds?

 

Is Triple Cream Cheese Pasteurised?

Yes, most varieties of triple cream cheeses that you find in supermarkets are pasteurised (i.e. they’ve been through a process of steralisation to remove some of the bacteria). In some countries, like in the United States, this is required by law for health and safety reasons. However, it is possible to find unpasturised/raw triple cream cheese in places like France or the UK, where laws are more lenient. 

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