Fromage blanc

Fromage frais

Alternative names	Fromage blanc, maquée
Place of origin	France
Main ingredients	whole or skimmed milk, cream
Media: Fromage frais

Fromage frais (also known as fromage blanc, maquée and similar to some kinds of quark) is a dairy product, originating from the north of France and the south of Belgium. The name means "fresh cheese" in French (fromage blanc translates as "white cheese").

Fromage frais is a creamy soft cheese made with whole or skimmed milk and cream. It has the consistency of cream cheese, but with less calories and cholesterol. Where available, low-fat cream cheese is an acceptable substitute for fromage frais.

Pure fromage frais is virtually fat free, but cream is frequently added to improve the flavour, which also increases the fat content, frequently to as high as eight percent of total weight.

Fromage frais can be served either as a dessert similar to yogurt, frequently with added fruit, or in savoury dishes. On occasion, it is served with honey in restaurants, as fromage blanc au miel.

In many Western countries, fromage frais is sold in supermarkets alongside yogurts: the unsweetened version in large tubs, while the sweetened version is often sold in miniature tubs and marketed as a children's dessert. (A very common such brand in much of Europe is Petits Filous, manufactured by Yoplait.)

External links

• What is Fromage Frais (With or Without Fat?)