La Fromagerie

I never thought about  how important a role butter plays in French culture. The French take pride in their butter. For most people, the taste of butter permeates their memories of France. Many think French butter is the best in the world. Naturally, the French do.

Though Beurre d’Echiré is considered la crème de la crème, I would often buy butter from the different fromageries in my neighborhood. La Fromagerie on rue Cler was the closest one and my particular favorite. They always had a massive slab of beurre du demi-sel behind the counter. The cheesemonger would slice off a big square and wrap it up with some wax paper. I always found such enjoyment in getting my butter this way.

Once I returned home to the United States, the butter just wasn’t the same. The only thing that came close to the butter I ate in France was my mom’s home churned butter!