Several hundred years ago, Brie was one of the tributes which the subjects had to pay to the French kings. In France, Brie is very different from the cheese exported to the United States. Brie, one of the great dessert cheeses, comes as either a 1 or 2 kilogram wheel, and is packaged in a wooden box. In order to fully enjoy the experience, Brie must be served at room temperature. A wheel of Camembert, however, is only 8 ounces and comes in its own wooden box.
Chevres are excellent dessert cheeses, often served as snacks, or with before dinner drinks.
Goat cheese is often served as an ingredient in many fine dishes. A semi-hard cow's milk cheese produced in Flanders and Normandy. It comes in spheres of about 7-8 pounds, it has an orange rind and interior. A firm texture with some small holes and a mild favor. A semisoft cow's milk cheese from Franche-Comte.