What is The Laughing Cow, exactly?
The Laughing Cow, known in its native France as La Vache Qui Rit, is a branded, processed cheese product, not a traditional soft cheese. It is made by melting a combination of various real cheeses, such as Cheddar, Swiss, and semi-soft cheese, and blending them with other dairy ingredients like milk and whey. The inclusion of emulsifying salts like sodium polyphosphate is crucial to creating its distinctive smooth, uniform, and stable texture. This processing method is what distinguishes it from artisanal soft cheeses. The product is individually wrapped for convenience and has a longer shelf life than typical fresh soft cheeses.
The Science Behind the Creaminess
The science of The Laughing Cow's texture lies in its processing. The melting and blending process, along with the addition of emulsifiers, prevents the fat and proteins in the cheese from separating. This creates a homogeneous, smooth, and spreadable product that remains consistent regardless of temperature changes within its normal storage range. Unlike traditional soft cheeses, which rely on specific cultures and ripening periods to develop their texture and flavor, The Laughing Cow's characteristics are engineered for stability and widespread appeal.
Comparison: The Laughing Cow vs. Traditional Soft Cheeses
| Feature | The Laughing Cow (Processed) | Traditional Soft Cheese (e.g., Brie) |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Homogeneous, creamy, and spreadable. | Soft, buttery, with a rind; texture varies with ripeness. |
| Ingredients | Blend of real cheeses, whey, milk, emulsifying salts, and water. | Primarily milk, starter cultures, rennet, and salt. |
| Manufacturing | Melted and blended cheeses and dairy ingredients (processed). | Ripened and aged; relies on natural curdling and aging processes. |
| Rind | Rindless. | Has a white, bloomy rind (e.g., Brie). |
| Flavor | Mild, buttery, and slightly salty. | Complex, earthy, and pungent; flavor deepens with age. |
| Shelf Life | Extended shelf life due to processing and packaging. | Relatively short shelf life; best when fresh. |
Why The Laughing Cow Isn't a "True" Soft Cheese
To understand why The Laughing Cow doesn't qualify as a traditional soft cheese, it's helpful to consider the definitions. A traditional soft cheese, like Camembert or Brie, is defined by its delicate, unripened curd structure and short aging process, often resulting in a moldy rind. Its texture is a natural result of the cheesemaking process. In contrast, The Laughing Cow's texture is the result of industrial processing. This is similar to how American cheese is made, though The Laughing Cow often has fewer additives. The key difference is the intervention of industrial processing to create a stable, creamy product, rather than relying on natural maturation. This processing is necessary to achieve the product's long shelf life and consistent taste.
The Legal and Culinary Distinction
Legal food standards in many places, including Europe and the United States, differentiate between natural cheese and processed cheese. A product like The Laughing Cow is typically classified as a "processed cheese product" because it contains added ingredients and has undergone a significant manufacturing process. From a culinary perspective, this distinction is also important. While a chef might use Brie in a sophisticated cheese course, The Laughing Cow is generally utilized as a convenient snack or a creamy ingredient in recipes, valued for its mild flavor and spreadability. For more information on food classification and processing, you can consult academic sources like food science journals or reputable culinary encyclopedias.
Versatility and Common Uses
Despite not being a traditional soft cheese, The Laughing Cow's versatility is one of its major selling points. Its smooth, spreadable texture makes it an excellent choice for a variety of applications. Common uses include:
- Snack pairing: Spreading on crackers, pretzels, apples, or other fruits.
- Sandwich and wrap spreads: As a replacement for mayonnaise or cream cheese.
- Recipe ingredient: Adding creaminess to soups, mashed potatoes, and sauces.
- Breakfast options: Spreading on toast, bagels, or English muffins.
- Baked goods: Some people use it in recipes calling for cream cheese.
Its mild flavor also makes it a popular choice for children and those who prefer less pungent cheeses. The individual packaging ensures portion control and freshness, adding to its convenience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, while The Laughing Cow possesses the smooth texture associated with soft cheeses, it is fundamentally a processed cheese product. It is made from a blend of real cheeses that are melted and stabilized with additional dairy ingredients and emulsifiers. This manufacturing process gives it a long shelf life and consistent, creamy texture that is different from traditional, naturally ripened soft cheeses. Understanding this distinction helps clarify its place in the world of dairy products and explains why it’s valued for its convenience and mild flavor, rather than its artisanal qualities.
