Brie cheese

Brie is a soft-ripened cow's milk cheese named after the French region from which it originated (modern-day Seine-et-Marne). Known as the 'Queen of Cheeses,' it has a liquid-like interior and an edible white rind of mold. While 'Brie' is a generic term produced worldwide, two specific French varieties, Brie de Meaux and Brie de Melun, have protected status (AOP/AOC) and must be produced in traditional ways in northern France. Manufacturing now occurs globally, from artisanal French creameries to large-scale industrial facilities in Wisconsin, Denmark, and Australia.

While many independent dairies produce Brie, major dairy conglomerates often dominate the global market. Companies like Groupe Lactalis and Savencia Fromage & Dairy are the leading owners of prominent Brie brands. Ownership reflects a trend towards consolidation in the dairy industry, where traditional French heritage brands are managed by international corporations that distribute these specialty cheeses to global retail markets.