More About Kiri

The Kiri collection at Epicerie Corner brings together 14 products from the Bel Group's cream cheese and spreadable ranges: Kiri cream cheese in individual portions, La Vache qui Rit in multiple sizes and formats (original, organic, Croque Monsieur, Toastinette cheddar and Pik et Croq), two Liebig pumpkin and Kiri soups, and a clarified butter from La Vache de Paris — delivered across the UK.

Bel Group: Kiri and La Vache qui Rit

Both Kiri and La Vache qui Rit are brands of Bel Group (Groupe Bel), the French cheese company founded in 1865 in the Jura region of France. La Vache qui Rit — the Laughing Cow — was created in 1921 by Léon Bel, and the distinctive laughing cow illustration was adapted from drawings by the cartoonist Benjamin Rabier. The circular foil-wrapped triangular wedge format has remained essentially unchanged since launch. Kiri was created in 1966 as a cream cheese aimed at children, made from pasteurised cow's milk with fresh cream, positioned as a mild, spreadable alternative to standard hard cheese for younger palates.

Kiri Cream Cheese

Kiri is a soft, mild cream cheese in individual foil-wrapped portions. All formats use 100% French pasteurised milk and cream, according to the brand. Four pack sizes are available:

• Kiri (x8) 144g: eight individual portions, the standard family pack.
• Kiri Cream Cheese Spread (x12) 216g: twelve portions, the larger format.
• Kiri Cheese Spread (x24) 432g: for larger households.
• Kiri Cheese Snack 8 Trays 280g (Goûter): eight trays designed for snacking at goûter — the French children's afternoon snack — paired with bread, crackers or crudités.

La Vache qui Rit

La Vache qui Rit (The Laughing Cow) is one of France's most recognisable food products, sold in more than 140 countries. The original format is a circular box of individually foil-wrapped triangular cheese wedges — a processed cheese blend of cow's milk, cream, whey and emulsifying salts, mild and very spreadable. It is used on bread, toast, in sandwiches and as a quick snack. The collection includes:

• La Vache qui Rit (x12) 192g: the classic twelve-wedge box for a household of two to four.
• La Vache qui Rit (x24) 384g and (x32) 512g: family and larger formats.
• La Vache qui Rit Organic (x8) 128g: eight wedges made with certified-organic milk.
• La Vache qui Rit Croque Monsieur (x10) 200g: a variant designed for melting inside a croque monsieur — melt it between two slices of bread with ham for a classic French toasted cheese sandwich.
• La Vache qui Rit Toastinette Cheddar (x10) 200g: individually wrapped flat cheddar slices for toasting and sandwiches, in the Toastinette format.
• La Vache qui Rit Pik et Croq (x8) 280g: a snack format that combines cheese wedges with thin breadstick-style crackers for dipping — positioned as a school and outdoor snack.

Liebig Pumpkin and Kiri Soup

Liebig, one of France's established soup brands, collaborated with Kiri to create a pumpkin soup enriched with Kiri cream cheese for a creamier texture. Available as a 1L carton for a family serving and a 2x30cl two-portion format. For the full Liebig soup range, see Soups.

La Vache de Paris Smen 800g

La Vache de Paris Smen 800g is a traditional clarified butter used in North African and Middle Eastern cooking. Smen is made by slowly clarifying and sometimes lightly ageing salted butter until a rich, intensely flavoured fat remains. It is used to cook couscous, slow braises and tagines, and as a condiment spread. The 800g format suits regular cooking use.

How to Use Kiri and La Vache qui Rit

Kiri and La Vache qui Rit are both ready-to-use straight from the fridge. Spread Kiri or La Vache qui Rit on a fresh baguette, toast or rice cakes for a quick snack or goûter. Use La Vache qui Rit Croque Monsieur as the cheese layer in a croque monsieur or croque madame. Kiri Goûter trays pair well with crudités (celery, cucumber, carrots) for a fresh snack. For more spreadable cheeses, see Spreadable Cheese and French Cheese for Kids.

Good to Know

All Kiri and La Vache qui Rit products contain milk. La Vache qui Rit also contains whey (a milk derivative) and emulsifying salts. The Pik et Croq format contains wheat (gluten) in the crackers. La Vache qui Rit Organic carries the AB certification. These are processed cheeses, not traditional PDO or AOP cheeses; they are pasteurised and suitable for serving to children. See Cheese for the full range of French and European cheeses.

Kiri and La Vache qui Rit FAQs

When was La Vache qui Rit created?

In 1921, by Léon Bel of Bel Group, based in the Jura region of France. The laughing cow illustration was adapted from drawings by cartoonist Benjamin Rabier.

When was Kiri created?

In 1966, by Bel Group, as a cream cheese aimed at children with a mild, spreadable flavour.

What is the difference between Kiri and La Vache qui Rit?

Kiri is a fresh cream cheese, richer and milder, made from milk and cream. La Vache qui Rit is a processed cheese blend made with milk, cream, whey and emulsifying salts; it is lighter and tangier. Both are spreadable and individually portioned.

What is smen?

A traditional clarified butter from North African cuisine, made by slowly heating salted butter and removing the milk solids. It has a richer, more complex flavour than standard clarified butter and is used in couscous, tagines and North African baked goods.