Avec ce délice, c'est le jour de la francophonie! It's France Day, y'all!
Qu'on profite bien des délices de la France! One of the best things about living in such an international city is the wealth of choice afforded to us. If we can have proper French (francophone) Wednesday and Sunday markets, Carrefour really is the next best thing.
Interestingly, bread quality and product range vary between outlets across the city. Without a doubt, the best and busiest is the hypermarché at the Mall of the Emirates in Al Barsha. Their bread is to die for. Their cheese selection is extensive and Mimolette, Gruyère, Époisse and a selection of pasturised and unpasteurised hard and soft cheeses are always available. It's impressive.
You know what else is impressive? Their butter selection. Because I'm new at this and was attempting to get in and out of there in under 20 mins (practically impossible, especially during Covid) I didn't take a pic this time but I will as soon as I can. The place is always packed but we will persevere!
Because of the climate here, butter is sold refrigerated and frozen, frozen being the more practical and cost effective choice. Président is available in both formats, in various sizes and salt levels. This one was the closest to hand but, fear not, dear reader! We shall sample them all in due course!
Président Unsalted Butter Appreciation
Butter Break Down
Appreciation Date: 25/05/2020
Country of Origin: France
Point of Procurement: Carrefour
Purchase State: Frozen
Price/100 g: AED 4.70 (Much cheaper though, if purchased at higher volume)
Milk: Cow, pasteurised.
Salt Content: Unsalted
Ingredients: Pasteurised cow's milk cream, lactic starters.
Declared Possible Allergens: Cow's milk.
Company Website: https://presidentbutter.com
Butter Evaluation
In which we discuss Company X's Butter.
Hang on. That ingredient list is impressive. 2 ingredients and NO ADDED COLOURING. And of course this was the butter I forgot to get a proper pic of before dispensing and tasting. Lament!
Girl, 9: Wow, this butter is very soft!
Me: It is, isn't it? Much softer than the others we've tried. But first, we cut the bread! Très bien!
G9: It's very delicate.
Me: How's the colour?
G9: It's yellow.
Me: Yeah, it's got a nice colour (I didn't realise at the time that it didn't have added colouring).
G9: It smells like cheese. (This is a Bad Thing).
Me: It's slightly fermented; almost a bit cheesy. I love it!
G9: *Wrinkles nose and tastes*
Me: Wow. It's very unsalted but light and very creamy.
G9: I like this one! It's good!
Me: Yes. It's very French.
G9: 4/5.
Me: Also 4.5.
Final Rundown
No wonder this is a global leader. It's got the French je ne sais quoi (sorry). Actually, that's a lie. We do know exactly what makes it taste great: An absence of extra ingredients. Président relies on the quality of its dairy and cultures to create a robust, light, flavourful butter that can be produced efficiently on a large scale. For an industrial butter, this really is excellent.
Colour: Light but still yellow, without added colour! Impressive! Hopefully it's because some of the ladies on the production line are actually eating grass...
Aroma: Slightly lacto-fermented (cheesy) due to the cultures. Imparts flavour without taste.
Taste: Cream. Yet light. Great balance.
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