How Does Président Compare to Other French Cheeses? A Complete UK Guide

There's something almost ritualistic about the way my family approaches cheese. Every Christmas without fail, my mum arranges a cheeseboard with military precision: the cheddar goes here, the stilton there, and the "fancy French bit" - usually a wheel of Président brie - takes pride of place in the centre. It wasn't until I started properly exploring the world of French cheese that I realised just how much variety exists beyond that familiar red-and-white packaging.

If you've ever stood in the cheese aisle at Tesco or Sainsbury's wondering whether Président is worth the price, or whether you should branch out to something more adventurous, you're not alone. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how Président stacks up against other French cheeses - from accessible supermarket options to the premium stuff that makes cheese lovers weak at the knees.

What is Président Cheese?

Before we dive into comparisons, let's establish what we're working with. Président is a French dairy brand owned by Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company. Founded in 1933 by André Besnier in Laval, Mayenne, the brand started with a single product: camembert.

Today, Président has become synonymous with accessible French cheese in the UK market. You'll find their products in virtually every major supermarket, from Tesco to Waitrose. The brand currently holds the number one position for branded brie in the UK, and they're growing at an impressive 12% year-on-year.

The Président Range Available in UK Supermarkets

Président offers a surprisingly broad range:

• Brie (their flagship product) - available in various sizes from mini rounds to family-sized wedges
• Camembert - including their popular baking-ready version
• Comté - aged for six months with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status
• Feta - Greek-style cheese
• Butter - both salted and unsalted varieties
• Cream cheese and spreadable options

The brand recently launched their "Extra Creamy Brie" exclusively through Ocado, showing they're willing to experiment with premium positioning.

Président Brie vs Premium French Brie

This is where things get interesting. Président brie is what cheese snobs might call an "industrial" cheese - produced at scale using modern methods rather than traditional artisan techniques. But does that mean it's actually inferior?

Président Brie: The Everyday Choice

Typical price: £2.00-£3.50 for 200g

Where to buy: Tesco, Sainsbury's, ASDA, Morrisons, Waitrose, Ocado

Président brie uses pasteurised milk, which means it's safe for pregnant women to eat when cooked until piping hot (we'll cover pregnancy considerations later). The texture is consistently creamy, and the flavour profile is deliberately mild - perfect for those who want approachable soft French cheese without anything too challenging.

I'll be honest: when I first started paying attention to cheese quality, I dismissed Président as "supermarket brie" - the kind of thing you'd put out when you can't be bothered to visit a proper cheesemonger. But after testing it back-to-back against pricier alternatives, I've developed a more nuanced view.

Président brie does what it does very well. It's reliable, it melts beautifully in recipes, and it won't offend anyone at your dinner party. For everyday cooking - think baked brie with honey and walnuts - it's genuinely excellent value.

Brie de Meaux: The Traditional Alternative

Typical price: £2.75-£5.00 for 170-200g

Where to buy: Tesco Finest, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference, Waitrose, specialist cheese shops

Brie de Meaux holds AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) status, meaning it must be produced in specific regions of France using traditional methods. It's made with raw (unpasteurised) milk, which gives it a more complex, earthy flavour profile.

In blind tastings, Brie de Meaux consistently scores higher for depth of flavour. The Tesco Finest version (£2.75 for 170g) scored 78/100 in Good Housekeeping tests, described as "mild tasting with a gooey middle" though "a little salty."

The catch? Raw milk cheeses aren't recommended for pregnant women, and the flavour can be more assertive than some people expect. I once served Brie de Meaux at a family gathering and watched my aunt discreetly scrape it onto her husband's plate.

My Honest Take

For a cheeseboard where the brie will be the star, Brie de Meaux is worth the slight price premium. For baking, cooking, or serving to guests with mixed cheese experience, Président is the smarter choice.

Président Camembert vs The Competition

Camembert is where Président truly began, and their version remains hugely popular - particularly the baking-ready rounds that have become a British Christmas staple.

Président Camembert

Typical price: £2.00-£2.50 for 250g

Best for: Baking until gooey and serving with crusty bread

Président camembert is mild, creamy, and specifically designed to behave predictably when baked. Pop it in the oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, score the top with a knife, and you've got an instant crowd-pleaser.

Camembert de Normandie AOC

Typical price: £3.50-£6.00 for 250g

Where to buy: Waitrose, M&S, specialist cheese shops

This is the real deal - camembert made in Normandy using raw milk and traditional methods. The flavour is notably more pungent, with earthy, mushroomy notes that intensify as the cheese ripens.

For casual entertaining, I'd argue Président actually wins here. Camembert de Normandie can be an acquired taste, and there's nothing worse than serving cheese that makes your guests grimace. Save the AOC stuff for cheese enthusiasts who'll appreciate it.

How Président Compares to Other French Cheese Types

French cheese extends far beyond brie and camembert. Here's how Président's offerings stack up against some popular alternatives you'll find in UK supermarkets.

Soft Washed-Rind Cheeses

Président vs Port Salut

Port Salut is a semi-soft cheese with a distinctive orange rind and mild, savoury flavour. It's actually easier to slice and less messy than brie, making it ideal for sandwiches.

Search volume: 4,400 monthly searches for "port salut" vs 720 for "president cheese"

Port Salut works better in cooking applications where you need cheese that holds its shape. Président brie will melt completely; Port Salut gives you gooey pockets while maintaining some structure.

Mountain Cheeses

Président Comté vs Other Hard French Cheeses

Président does make Comté, and it's actually quite good - aged for six months with genuine AOP status. However, the Comté market in the UK is more competitive than soft cheeses.

Comté key facts:

• France's most-produced AOC cheese (66,500+ tonnes annually)
• Aged minimum 4 months, premium versions 12+ months
• Complex flavours: nutty, sweet, sometimes hints of hazelnut and apricot
• Works brilliantly in fondue, gratins, or eaten with crusty bread

Président Comté sits in the mid-market - better than supermarket own-brand but not competing with 18-month aged versions from specialist sellers.

Reblochon: The One President Doesn't Make

Reblochon (2,400 monthly searches) is a washed-rind cheese from the French Alps, famous for its role in tartiflette - that gloriously indulgent potato, bacon, and cream dish.

Président doesn't produce Reblochon, which means you'll need to look elsewhere. Expect to pay £3.50-£6.00 for a whole wheel, available at Waitrose and good cheese counters.

If you can't find Reblochon, Port Salut makes a decent substitute, though purists will raise eyebrows.

Where to Buy Président Cheese (And Where to Find Better Deals)

Price varies surprisingly across UK supermarkets. Here's what I found:

Prices correct as of January 2026 - always for the best deals.compare current supermarket prices for the best deals.*

Insider Tips for Saving on French Cheese

1. Check the reduced section: Cheese near its best-before date is often discounted 25-50% and actually tastes better when properly ripe
2. Buy whole rounds: Pre-sliced or wedged cheese costs more per gram
3. Lidl and Aldi French weeks: Both discounters run periodic French promotions with excellent cheese deals
4. Christmas timing: October-November is peak cheese season - supermarkets compete hard on prices

The Taste Test: My Personal Rankings

After sampling Président alongside comparable French cheeses, here's my honest assessment:

Best for Everyday Eating

Winner: Président Brie

Reliable, affordable, and universally appealing. It won't win awards, but it won't disappoint either.

Best for Cheese Enthusiasts

Winner: Brie de Meaux (Sainsbury's Taste the Difference)

More complex, more interesting, worth the modest premium if you appreciate cheese.

Best for Baking

Winner: Président Camembert

Specifically designed for the purpose. Melts beautifully, readily available, foolproof.

Best Value

Winner: Aldi French Brie

If you're purely budget-focused, Aldi's offering is nearly as good as Président for about 30% less.

Health and Nutrition Comparison

French cheese isn't exactly diet food, but here's how the options compare:

Brie Nutrition (Per 100g)

The differences are marginal. If you're watching calories, serving size matters far more than brand selection.

Is Brie Healthy?

With 1,000 monthly searches for "is brie healthy," this clearly matters to shoppers. The honest answer: in moderation, brie can be part of a balanced diet. It provides:

• High-quality protein
• Calcium for bone health
• B vitamins
• Fat-soluble vitamins A and D

The downside is saturated fat content. NHS guidelines suggest keeping saturated fat under 20g daily for women, 30g for men - a 30g portion of brie uses up roughly a quarter of that allowance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat the white rind on Président brie?

Yes, absolutely. The white rind (called a "bloomy rind") is made of Penicillium candidum mould and is entirely edible. Many people actually prefer the slightly earthy flavour it adds. If you find it too strong, you can cut it off, but you're missing out on part of the cheese experience. The rind is particularly delicious when the brie is baked until warm and gooey.

What is the difference between brie and camembert?

Despite looking similar, brie and camembert have distinct differences. Brie originates from the Île-de-France region and is typically larger (up to 40cm diameter), with a milder, buttery flavour. Camembert comes from Normandy, is smaller (about 11cm), and has a more intense, earthy, and sometimes mushroomy taste. Camembert also tends to be thicker, so it ripens differently - often becoming more pungent than brie of similar age.

Is Président brie safe to eat during pregnancy?

According to NHS guidelines, soft mould-ripened cheeses like brie should be avoided during pregnancy unless cooked until steaming hot throughout. This applies whether the cheese is pasteurised or unpasteurised. Président brie is made with pasteurised milk, but the soft texture can still harbour listeria bacteria. The good news? Baked brie, brie on hot pizza, or brie melted into pasta sauce is perfectly safe because the heat kills any harmful bacteria.

How do you properly eat brie cheese?

Let brie reach room temperature before serving (about 30 minutes out of the fridge). This allows the texture to become properly creamy and the flavours to develop. Slice it like a cake, from the centre outward, to get some rind with each piece. Pair it with crusty bread, crackers, apple slices, grapes, or fig jam. For baked brie, score the top, drizzle with honey, add walnuts, and bake at 180°C for 15-20 minutes.

How many calories are in brie cheese?

A typical 30g serving of brie contains approximately 100 calories. This makes it similar in calorie density to other full-fat cheeses like cheddar (around 120 kcal per 30g) but higher than softer fresh cheeses like cottage cheese (around 30 kcal per 30g). The calorie content comes primarily from fat, with brie containing roughly 28% fat overall.

Which supermarket has the best brie?

It depends what you're after. For Président brie specifically, ASDA typically offers the lowest prices. For premium Brie de Meaux, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference offers excellent quality at £3.75. Waitrose stocks the widest range of French cheeses including artisan options. Tesco offers a solid mid-range selection with Finest options for special occasions.

Is French brie better than English brie?

This is genuinely subjective. Traditional French brie has a more complex, earthy flavour profile, particularly AOC versions made with raw milk. English bries like Somerset Brie or Cornish Brie tend to be milder and creamier - some find them more approachable. For cooking purposes, there's little practical difference. For a cheeseboard, French versions generally have more character, but a quality English brie from a good producer can absolutely hold its own.

What cheese is similar to Président brie?

If you enjoy Président brie, try Le Rustique camembert (slightly more robust), Caprice des Dieux (a double-cream cheese, even richer), or supermarket own-brand bries which are often made by the same factories. For a step up in quality, Brie de Meaux offers similar texture with more complex flavours. Fromager d'Affinois is another excellent alternative - it's technically a brie-style cheese with an ultra-creamy, almost mousse-like texture.

The Bottom Line: Is Président Worth It?

Here's my honest conclusion after years of buying French cheese from UK supermarkets: Président occupies a sensible middle ground.

It's not the cheapest option (supermarket own-brands undercut it by 20-30%), but it offers reliable quality and genuine French provenance. It's not competing with artisan cheeses from specialist shops, but it doesn't pretend to.

For most UK shoppers, Président delivers exactly what it promises: accessible French cheese at a fair price. Use it for everyday eating, cooking, and casual entertaining. Save the fancy AOC stuff for special occasions when you (and your guests) will actually appreciate the difference.

Ready to find the best prices on Président and other French cheeses near you? Compare prices across UK supermarkets and start saving on your next cheeseboard.