In today’s chaotic world, comfort foods are in demand as never before. Many consumers associate comfort with breakfast, and an increasing number are exploring new ways of achieving that comfort level in the morning daypart.
One category that’s benefiting as a result is breakfast cheeses.
Marin French Cheese Co.’s breakfast cheese story goes back a long way. As in, Civil War long.
In 1865, as the California Gold Rush reached its conclusion in the San Francisco Bay Area, the city’s population faced a scarcity of eggs to fuel the workforce, relates Bonnie Kaufman, associate brand manager at Marin French Cheese. Recognizing the urgency, Jefferson Thompson, the visionary founder of Marin French Cheese Co., seized the opportunity to innovate swiftly.
Already well-versed in crafting soft-ripened cheeses for local consumption, Thompson transformed his expertise into a solution: Petite Breakfast Brie.
“An ingenious creation born out of necessity, Thompson adapted the established cheesemaking process, packaging, and shipping the unripened brie to fulfill the demand for a protein-rich breakfast alternative,” Kaufman said. “This pivotal move marked the brand’s foray into the broader market, showcasing not just a protein-rich product but a testament to innovation driven by immediate consumer demand.”
The fresh difference
The key difference between Marin French Cheese’s flagship product and other bries is that it’s a fresh brie, skipping the aging room — no white, bloomy rind — and has a tangy, culture-forward flavor, slightly springy texture, more reminiscent of cheese curds than a creamy brie.
Initially known as ‘Breakfast Cheese’ and weighing 3 ounces, Petite Breakfast underwent a transformation in the early 2000s, adopting the name ‘Petite Breakfast’ and a refined weight of 4 ounces, Kaufman said.
The change aimed to enhance the coherence of the brand’s 4-ounce Petite collection. As unique as it is versatile, Petite Breakfast complements both sweet and savory dishes, Kaufman said. It’s delicious on toast with smashed avocado and tomato jam, but it can also be paired with a more traditional fruit jam.
Petite Breakfast isn’t Marin French Cheese’s only product that’s suitable for breakfast, Kaufman said.
The entire collection of 4-ounce Petite cheeses are perfect for adding luscious texture and bold flavor into breakfast dishes such as eggs, toasts, one-pan bakes, and more.
In addition to Breakfast, the line includes Crème, Camembert, Mustard, Jalapeño, Truffle, Suprême and Ash.
“Whether savored on their own or folded into recipes, these small but mighty cheeses effortlessly add an added layer of flavor and complexity,” Kaufman said.
Marin French Cheese is closely tracking a big change in perceptions of cheese—specifically, moving beyond its traditional role as a mere appetizer or entertainment centerpiece. Those include breakfast.
“Cheese is now acknowledged not only as a delectable indulgence but also as a versatile and valued ingredient, finding its place in diverse consumption occasions that extend beyond the boundaries of its typical use,” Kaufman said. “People are understandably looking to increase protein at key times, like breakfast, and they don’t want to sacrifice flavor or experience. Cheese is great for that.”
As the demand for breakfast cheeses continues to rise, Marin French Cheese is more committed than ever to sharing recipes and other usage ideas for its cheeses, she added.
A great recent example is a new seasonal recipe, Berry and Brie Croissant Breakfast Bake, which generously incorporates the tangy cheese into a traditionally sweet dish.
Sweet or savory breakfast perfection
Carr Valley has several products that are great additions to breakfast, but Bread Cheese is definitely the company’s top option, said Elle Fearing, director of sales and brand development.
A Finnish-style cheese that was traditionally used for breakfast and often dipped in coffee, Fearing likes it air-fried and drizzled with maple syrup.
That said, Bread Cheese, which boasts the buttery, milky notes that Southwestern Wisconsin is famous for, works equally well as a savory breakfast option.
The market for breakfast cheeses is definitely on the upswing, thanks in large part to strong demand for the comfort foods that many people associate with breakfast, Fearing said.
“In this ever-changing, fast-paced world, we look for anything to bring us relaxation, ease, and comfort. That’s what breakfast has always done for me, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.”
One of the things that differentiates Bread Cheese and other Carr Valley products from its competitors is that Carr Valley is a “true, artisanal cheese company,” Fearing said.
“We’re picking up milk from our patrons seven days a week, and we’re making this cheese in small, open vats at our plant in La Valle, Wisconsin. I think having those relationships, supporting local farms, and having a hand in every step of the process from farm to table makes us stand out.”
Consumers want to know where their food is coming from, Fearing said, and Carr Valley has worked with most of its farmer partners for several generations. Carr Valley and the Cook family celebrated 140 years of cheesemaking legacy in 2023.
Favorite, easy breakfast combos from Carr Valley
- Buttered Sourdough Toast with Penta Crème Blue and drizzled honey
- Spinach and Mushroom Quiche with Menage
- Avocado Toast with fried egg and grated Goat Cheddar
- Apple Pie topped with 6 Year Cheddar
- Bread Cheese Waffles with Local Maple Syrup
This article is an excerpt from the January 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Breakfast feature and more in the digital edition here.
