Randy Chandler
Havarti is a versatile, semi-soft, Danish cow's milk cheese that is popular for its rich, mild, buttery flavour and creamy texture. It is a great melting cheese and can be sliced, grilled, or shredded. Its mellow flavour makes it a good pairing with a variety of foods, from sweet to savoury, and it is a popular choice for cheese boards. It is often enjoyed with fruits, crackers, and bread, and is a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, frittatas, and pizzas. Meanwhile, goat cheese is known for its tangy and sharp flavour. It is also a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pastas. So, do these two cheeses go together?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Havarti cheese origin | Denmark |
| Havarti cheese texture | Semi-soft, creamy, smooth, buttery |
| Havarti cheese taste | Mild, rich, tangy |
| Havarti cheese colour | Cream to yellow, golden-yellow |
| Havarti cheese holes | Small, irregular openings |
| Goat cheese pairing | Yes |
| Ideal accompaniments | Sugary fruits, crackers, bread, wine, jam, honey, nuts, meats |
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What You'll Learn
- Goat cheese and Havarti cheese are both suitable for a cheese board
- Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese
- Goat cheese is a suitable pairing for stronger, more developed cheeses like aged Havarti
- Both cheeses melt well and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches
- Goat cheese and Havarti are both versatile and can be used in sweet and savoury dishes
Goat cheese and Havarti cheese are both suitable for a cheese board
Goat cheese and Havarti cheese are both excellent choices for a cheese board. They each bring distinct flavours and textures that will impress and satisfy any cheese lover.
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a tangy, salty, and sharp cheese. It is often described as having a "goaty" flavour, which can range from mild to intense depending on the age of the cheese. Goat cheese is also known for its creamy texture, especially when fresh. Its unique flavour and creamy mouthfeel make it a standout choice for a cheese board.
On the other hand, Havarti is a mild, buttery, and creamy cheese. This semi-soft cow's milk cheese was created in Denmark in the mid-1800s. Its washed curds give it a subtle flavour and a pleasing aroma. The cheese has a cream to golden-yellow colour, with small, irregular openings. Havarti is an incredibly versatile cheese that pairs well with a wide array of foods, from sweet to savoury to spicy. Its rich yet mild flavour and smooth texture make it a crowd-pleaser that is suitable for all ages.
Both cheeses offer unique sensory experiences that will delight your guests. Goat cheese provides a tangy and sharp contrast to the mild and buttery Havarti. The creamy textures of both cheeses will be especially enjoyable, with Havarti becoming soft and gooey at room temperature.
When building your cheese board, consider including accompaniments that will complement both cheeses. Fresh and dried fruits, such as figs, strawberries, apples, and pears, will pair beautifully with both the goat cheese and Havarti. Honey is another excellent choice, adding a touch of sweetness to the board. For a crunchy texture, include crackers, such as whole-grain or water crackers, and candied nuts. Smoked oysters are also a unique addition, pairing particularly well with Havarti. If you want to take your cheese board to the next level, offer a selection of wines, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, or a light-bodied Pinot Noir, which will enhance the flavours of the cheeses.
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Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese
Havarti is a washed-curd cheese, which gives it a subtle flavour. It has a smooth, creamy texture and a buttery aroma. The colour ranges from cream to pale yellow, and it has very small and irregular "eyes". The taste is buttery and mildly sweet, with a slight acidity, similar to mozzarella. It is typically aged for about three months, but when older, it becomes more salty and takes on a hazelnut flavour.
Havarti is a versatile cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It pairs well with many foods, including fruit, particularly sugary fruits like figs, and raisins, and walnuts. It is also good with honey, jams, and crackers, as well as heartier, rustic bread. It is a popular dessert cheese and is often served with wine. Its mild flavour also lends itself to more unusual pairings, such as hummus and tahini, lingonberry jam and honey, or salty capers and sriracha on a whole-grain cracker.
Havarti is produced in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Spain, Finland, Poland, France, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, the main producing state is Wisconsin, with other states including California, Illinois, and New York also making the cheese. In 2019, the EU granted exclusive Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) rights to Denmark, meaning that Havarti may now only be produced from Danish milk and at approved dairies to be sold in the EU and countries with which it has signed a trade agreement recognising EU PGI rules on cheese, such as South Korea.
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Goat cheese is a suitable pairing for stronger, more developed cheeses like aged Havarti
Goat cheese is an excellent pairing for stronger, more developed cheeses like aged Havarti. Aged Havarti has a darker, golden-yellow colour and a more intense, complex aroma and flavour. Its distinct flavour and texture make it a great standalone cheese, but it also pairs well with other savoury ingredients.
Aged Havarti is a good choice for those who prefer their cheese to have a stronger, more developed flavour. Its robust flavour and aroma mean it can hold its own when paired with other cheeses, such as goat's cheese, and it can also provide a delightful depth of flavour when used in recipes. For instance, aged Havarti can be a great addition to a grilled cheese sandwich, adding a layer of complexity to this simple dish.
Goat cheese, with its tangy and creamy flavour, can be a wonderful complement to the stronger profile of aged Havarti. Together, they can offer a nice contrast in both taste and texture. This pairing can be a great way to elevate a cheese board or platter, providing a range of flavours and aromas for guests to enjoy. The versatility of both cheeses means they can also be used in various recipes, either together or separately, to create interesting and sophisticated flavour profiles.
For example, a recipe that showcases the pairing of goat cheese and aged Havarti could be a grilled cheese sandwich with caramelised onions and whole-grain dijon mustard. The sweetness of the caramelised onions would complement the tanginess of the goat cheese, while the dijon mustard adds a nice tangy kick to the sandwich. This combination of flavours and textures can create a sophisticated and satisfying grilled cheese experience.
In conclusion, goat cheese and aged Havarti are indeed a suitable pairing, offering a range of flavour and texture combinations that can elevate any cheese board or recipe. Their contrasting yet complementary characteristics make them a versatile duo that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, whether enjoyed together on a platter or incorporated into culinary creations.
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Both cheeses melt well and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches
Goat cheese and Havarti cheese are two very different cheeses with distinct characteristics. However, they do have one important thing in common: they both melt exceptionally well. This quality makes them highly suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches, among other dishes.
Havarti cheese is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese that originated in Denmark. It has a rich, mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. Its washed curds give it a subtle flavour and a buttery aroma. The cheese is very versatile and can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It pairs well with many foods, including fruits, crackers, bread, and wine. Its high moisture content and creamy texture make it ideal for melting, and it becomes soft and gooey when heated.
Goat cheese, on the other hand, is made from goat's milk and has a tangy, creamy flavour. It is also a soft cheese with a crumbly texture. Goat cheese melts beautifully and is often used in grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, and other melted cheese dishes. Its tangy flavour complements a variety of foods, and it is a versatile ingredient in many recipes.
Both cheeses are known for their melting abilities, which makes them perfect for creating indulgent, oozy grilled cheese sandwiches. The sweetness of caramelized onions pairs well with the tanginess of both cheeses. Crispy bacon adds a savoury element to the sandwich, and whole grain dijon mustard provides a tangy kick.
When combined in a grilled cheese sandwich, Havarti and goat cheese create a complex interplay of flavours and textures. The smoothness of Havarti complements the tanginess and crumbliness of goat cheese, resulting in a sophisticated and satisfying comfort food experience. This sandwich is an excellent option for those seeking a simple yet flavourful meal.
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Goat cheese and Havarti are both versatile and can be used in sweet and savoury dishes
Goat cheese is a creamy, tart, and smooth cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be used in savoury dishes like salads, omelettes, and quiches, or as a spread on dishes like chicken or Brussels sprouts. It can also be used in sweet dishes, like cheesecakes, and paired with honey and pecans.
Havarti is a rich, mild, buttery, semi-firm cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. It is often used in dishes like mac and cheese, frittatas, and panini sandwiches, and pairs well with sweet and savoury foods like fruits, jams, honey, and wine.
Both cheeses can be used in similar contexts, such as in salads, quiches, grilled cheese sandwiches, and mac and cheese. They can also be used as a sweet element in dishes, pairing well with honey and fruits like strawberries and figs.
Goat cheese and Havarti can be used interchangeably in many dishes, depending on your preference. For example, you can use goat cheese in a mac and cheese dish instead of Havarti, or use Havarti in a salad or quiche instead of goat cheese. Both cheeses have a creamy texture and a mild, buttery flavour, making them versatile and easy to work with.
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Frequently asked questions
Havarti is a semi-soft cow's milk cheese created in the mid-1800s by Hanne Nielson, a Danish woman who travelled around Europe to learn cheese-making techniques. It is smooth, buttery, and melts exceptionally well.
Havarti is a versatile cheese that goes well with many foods. It is often paired with sweet and savoury ingredients, such as bacon, caramelised onions, honey, fruits, and vegetables. It is also commonly used in grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, and casseroles.
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a type of cheese made from goat's milk. It has a distinct tangy and creamy flavour and a crumbly or soft texture, depending on how it is made.
Yes, goat cheese and Havarti cheese can go together. Both cheeses have mild, creamy, and buttery flavours, which can complement each other. They can be served together on a cheese platter or used in recipes such as grilled cheese sandwiches or pizzas.
