Creme Brie L'Extra
I came across this interesting container of cheese while shopping at my local Michael-Angelo’s Market. I’m thinking … brie in a cup? This could be interesting. The container is small enough to hold in your hand and it is made of paper. That makes me think it is recyclable and earth friendly.
Creme Brie L'Extra Lid
The lid reveals that this a Processed Fine Cheese Spread, part of the Agropur Signature series. Now I’m a little confused and a little curious as to what I will discover under that lid. I was tempted to lift the lid in the store but I was not sure what was beneath. I did not want to break a seal.
Removing the lid reveals a plastic seal that can be torn away.
Creme Brie L'Extra with the lid off
I removed the lid to unveil a gooey creamy white cheese. I had set the cheese out for about an hour to bring it to room temperature. That is my procedure with all cheese. Cheese typically is more flavorful at room temperature. I’m not sure that was the right idea with this cheese because the cheese was even more runny than Brie paste at room temperature.
Creme Brie L'Extra
The consistency was quite thin. I would describe it as either thick yogurt or thin pudding. I placed a knife in the container for a picture and the knife would fall out within a minute under it’s own weight.
I spread some Creme Brie L’Extra on some Carr’s Table Water Crackers.
Creme Brie L'Extra on Carr's Crackers
I had to take the picture quickly because the cheese would flow over the edges of the crackers as they sat. With this product you cannot spread crackers in advance to serve them.
The Creme Brie L’Extra on Agropur’s website describes this product as being based on “Crème Brie L’Extra, Canada’s best selling brie”. Hmm “Canada’s best selling Brie”? … I guess I better try some regular Crème Brie L’Extra soon.
They continue to suggest this spread as:
“Ideal on crackers, on baguette bread and perfect for bagels! Crème Brie L’Extra can also be used as a dip, in a fondue or as a key ingredient in a sauce.”
What does Creme Brie L’Extra taste like? This cheese is smooth, creamy and very mild. It leans more towards processed cheese than Brie paste. Brie is mild to begin with, but this is the mildest Brie I have yet to try. The good news is – no rind in there. Although brie rind is edible I see a lot of people avoiding it.
I liked the Creme Brie L’Extra cheese, but not in a savour every moment kind of way. It was more of a spread it quickly, pop it in your mouth, have another – sort of way. I assume bringing this cheese to room temperature enhanced the flavour which in hindsight is a good idea because the flavour is so light. My wife tried this cheese. She likes milder cheeses and she enjoyed it. However, it just didn’t have enough pizzaz to get me excited.
I think the container is designed to be a single serving because once the plastic seal is removed I was not convinced that replacing the paper lid would keep the cheese fresh for very long. I ended up draping a piece of saran wrap over the top and then replacing the lid.
The verdict: Creme Brie L’Extra is a convenient, mild, cheesy cracker spread. I would suggest this cheese for the cheesy timid.
Creme Brie L’Expert is made in Canada at Agropur’s St-Hyacinthe, Quebec cheesemaking facility. It was introduced in September of 2011.
Disclosure: I am not affiliated with Agropur, or this product, in any way. I just buy it, try it and review it.
The Canada Cheese Man 
You’re not missing much having not tried L’Extra Brie Cream or Double Cream cheese. It’s a very mild, factory version of Brie de Meaux. It’s relatively inexpensive and very much a ‘starter’ brie for people who are looking to take their first steps away from the traditional cheddar and mozzarella.
It looks runny. Perhaps it could substitute for cream cheese in recipes using it for sauces or casseroles, though it’s likely more expensive than cream cheese. It would be something I’d buy in the salvage store but not seek it otherwise.