Boursin and Alouette are both popular French cheese spreads. But which one is better? Here is a detailed comparison of the two brands to help you decide which cheese spread is right for you.
What is Boursin?
Boursin is a soft, spreadable cheese that originated in France. It was first made in 1957 by Francois Boursin. It is a creamy, garlic and herb cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk. Some of the herbs used in Boursin include basil, chervil, garlic, lemon, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, shallot, tarragon and thyme. There are several flavor varieties of Boursin including Garlic & Herbs, Pepper, Shallot & Chive, and Fine Herbs.
Boursin has a smooth, thick consistency and tangy, herbal flavor. It spreads easily onto breads, crackers and vegetables. The cheese is white in color with a subtle green tint from the herbs. Boursin contains 45% milkfat and around 21% protein.
Nutrition Facts for Boursin Garlic & Herbs
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1 ounce serving of Boursin Garlic & Herbs cheese spread:
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 5g
What is Alouette?
Alouette is also a soft French cheese spread made from cow’s milk. It was first produced in the United States in the 1940s. Alouette is made with Gouda, Asiago, Blue, or Cheddar cheese and additional ingredients like herbs, garlic, peppers, olives or cranberries. The cheese has a creamy, smooth texture.
Some of the popular Alouette cheese spread flavors are Garlic & Herbs, Chive & Onion, Basil Pesto, and Port Wine. In addition to the Original flavor, there are Light and No Fat varieties of Alouette available. The cheese spreads come in small round wooden boxes or larger tubs.
Nutrition Facts for Alouette Garlic & Herbs
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1 ounce serving of Alouette Garlic & Herbs cheese spread:
- Calories: 80
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: less than 1g
- Protein: 3g
Comparing Nutrition
When comparing the nutrition facts, Boursin and Alouette are fairly similar. They both contain about 80-90 calories per serving with around 8-9 grams of total fat. Boursin is slightly higher in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Boursin also contains more protein. Alouette is a bit lower in calories, fat and sodium overall. But the differences per serving are small between the two brands.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
| Nutrition Facts | Boursin | Alouette |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 90 | 80 |
| Total Fat | 9g | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 4.5g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 15mg |
| Sodium | 210mg | 180mg |
| Protein | 5g | 3g |
Comparing Flavor
When it comes to flavor, Boursin and Alouette both offer creamy, garlicy and herbal tastes. However, there are some noticeable differences between the two:
- Boursin is tangier, with a sharper garlic flavor.
- Alouette has a milder garlic taste and is less acidic.
- Boursin tends to be more herby, with stronger parsley, basil and oregano notes.
- Alouette has a more delicate herbal flavor, often with chives.
- Boursin is saltier.
- Alouette has a lighter texture and is less dense.
So while both have that distinct garlicky herb flavor, Boursin is more pungent, while Alouette is lighter. Boursin also has a thicker, creamier texture versus the smooth, whipped texture of Alouette. The flavor intensities can also vary between the different varieties of each cheese spread.
Comparing Uses
Both Boursin and Alouette work great as spreads on breads and crackers. Their creamy textures and spices complement both hearty rye or pumpernickel breads along with lighter crostini. The cheese spreads are also delicious dips for fresh vegetables like celery, carrots and broccoli. You can also use Boursin or Alouette as a topping or ingredient when cooking meat, fish, pasta, pizza, wraps, omelets and more. Both add lots of rich, garlic herb flavor to dishes.
Some ideas for using Boursin or Alouette include:
- Spread on crostini or pita chips
- Swirled into mashed potatoes
- Filling for crepes or stuffed mushrooms
- Topping for burgers, steaks or chicken
- Mixed into pasta or risotto
- Spread on a roast chicken or turkey
- Stuffed into an omelet or frittata
- Topping for bruschetta
- Filling for crepes
- Base for creamy dips
Overall, both cheeses are very versatile options in cooking and can be used in similar ways. Boursin may have a slight edge for recipes where you want a more intense garlicky kick.
Comparing Prices
When comparing prices, Boursin tends to be a bit more expensive than Alouette. Here are some average prices for a 5.2 ounce package:
| Cheese Spread | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Boursin Garlic & Herbs | $5.99 |
| Alouette Garlic & Herbs | $3.99 |
The price can vary based on the retailer, but Boursin generally costs $1 to $2 more than Alouette per package. Over time, that cost difference can add up if you eat a lot of these cheese spreads.
Comparing Availability
In terms of availability, Boursin can be slightly harder to find than Alouette. Alouette is readily available at most major grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Stop & Shop, etc. It’s usually stocked along with other packaged cheese spreads near the deli counter.
Boursin can be found at many grocery stores as well, but is more likely to be carried by upscale markets like Whole Foods, Wegmans, Fresh Market and specialty cheese shops. So your access to Boursin may depend on what stores are in your area. Alouette will likely be easier to find in a standard supermarket.
Comparing Convenience
Convenience is one area where Alouette has an advantage over Boursin. Alouette comes in both a 5.2 ounce tub with screw top lid, or pre-portioned 2 ounce cups. This makes Alouette very easy to grab from the fridge and spread onto crackers or a sandwich. Boursin only comes in the 5.2 ounce foil packages that you have to peel back.
So while both products are spreadable cheese sold in similar sized packages, Alouette may win out slightly in convenience thanks to the single-serve portion cups and easy resealable plastic tub.
Conclusion
In the battle of Boursin versus Alouette, there is no clear winner. Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of each cheese spread:
Boursin Pros:
- Richer, creamier texture
- Stronger garlic and herb flavor
- Wide range of flavors
- No preservatives
Boursin Cons:
- More expensive
- Harder to find
- Less convenient packaging
Alouette Pros:
- More affordable price
- Easy to find in stores
- Convenient packaging
- Milder flavor
- Fewer calories per serving
Alouette Cons:
- Contains some preservatives
- Watery, less creamy texture
- Less intense garlic and herb flavor
In the end, it comes down to your own personal tastes and needs. If you enjoy bold garlic flavor and a rich creamy texture, then Boursin may be your best bet. But if you want an affordable, convenient garlic herb cheese that’s easy to find, Alouette is likely the better choice.
No matter which spread you choose, Boursin and Alouette both make great additions to a cheeseboard, snacks, appetizers and recipes. So slather away on those crispy breads and crunchy vegetables!