Randy Chandler
Chevre, or goat cheese, is a French cheese made from goat's milk. It is a popular ingredient in dishes like salads, bread, and pizzas. While chevre can be softened by heat, it does not melt in the same way as other cheeses. In this article, we will explore the unique characteristics of chevre cheese, its production process, and its versatility in various recipes. We will also discuss the different types of chevre available and how its texture and flavour can vary with age and other factors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Chevre? | Cheese made from the milk of goats |
| Origin | France |
| Texture | Soft, creamy, crumbly |
| Flavor | Tangy, tart, rich, mellow, buttery, earthy |
| Melting | Does not melt like other cheeses but softens when exposed to heat |
| Storage | Unopened Chevre can be stored in its original packaging in the refrigerator for up to three months |
| Pairing | Chevre pairs well with sweet flavors like honey, fruits, nuts, and savory vegetables |
| Wines | Fruity wines like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir complement Chevre's earthiness |
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What You'll Learn
Chevre's soft texture
Chevres, the French word for a female goat, refers to cheese made from goat's milk. Chevre is a soft, creamy, and spreadable cheese with a tangy, earthy flavour. It is often made in France but is now produced around the world. Chevre is usually sold and served in a log shape and can be plain or mixed with fresh herbs.
The texture and flavour of chevre change as it ages. Young chevre is white, moist, and mild, while aged chevre is yellower, drier, and more crumbly, with a tangier taste. Chevre is a soft cheese, but it will not melt like other cheeses when exposed to heat. Instead, it softens, making it a good choice for pasta dishes and pizzas.
Fresh chevre is the most common type of chevre, typically not aged for more than a few days, giving it a mild flavour. It is soft and spreadable, making it a popular choice for baguette slices or crostini. It can also be used as a replacement for cream cheese on toast or bagels. Crumbled chevre is also a common addition to salads, especially those with sweet fruits like apples or cranberries.
Aged chevre, such as Bûcheron, has a softer texture and a tangier flavour. When serving aged chevre, it is recommended to have an equal amount of rind with each serving. Cut rounds of aged chevre into wedge-shaped sections, slice cylinders into rounds, and portion pyramids into vertical wedges.
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Goat's milk
Chevre, or goat's cheese, is a French word for a female goat. It refers to cheese made from goat's milk. Chevre is not a specific type of cheese but an umbrella term for more than one type of goat cheese. Chevre is often made in France but is now produced worldwide. The flavour and texture vary with age and other factors.
Goat's cheese can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be crumbled over salads, eaten on sandwiches, melted on pizzas, or spread over baguette slices or crostini as an appetizer. Chevre can also be used to replace cream cheese spread on toast or bagels. It pairs well with sweet flavours such as honey, figs, or nuts, and with savoury vegetables such as caramelized onions, roasted beets, or roasted tomatoes. It can also be used in tarts or desserts such as cheesecake.
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Chevre's distinct flavour
Chevre, or "le fromage de chevre", is a French term that literally translates to "goat cheese". Chevre is not a specific type of cheese but an umbrella term that refers to various types of goat cheese. The flavour and texture of chevre vary with age and other factors.
Young chevre is white, moist, mild, and doesn't have a rind. As it ages, chevre darkens to yellow, becomes drier and more crumbly, tastes tangier, and develops a rind. The more mature the chevre, the bolder and richer its flavour, with increased tartness and bolder undertones. Young and fresh chevre has a mild, tangy taste and is often sold and served in a log shape. It can be plain or mixed with fresh herbs. Aged chevre, such as Bucheron, has a sharper and more complex flavour, with more distinct tanginess and a well-pronounced earthy flavour.
Fresh chevre is the most common type of chevre, often not aged for more than a few days, giving it the mildest flavour. It is a soft cheese that is very spreadable. It is often found in logs or small rounds and may be rolled in herbs, spices, or other coatings. As it ages, chevre can develop a more complex flavour and a firmer and crumbly texture.
Goat's milk (especially raw or unpasteurized) produces cheese with strong flavours and aromas that vary according to the breed of goat and their diet. Regional influences, including climate, altitude, and other environmental factors, also play a role in the flavour of chevre.
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Melting point
Chevre, or goat's cheese, is made from goat's milk. Chevre is an umbrella term that covers a variety of goat's cheeses, from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly, depending on its age. Chevre is often made in France, but is now produced around the world.
While chevre is a versatile cheese that can be used in many dishes, from salads to pizzas, it does not melt in the same way that other cheeses do. When exposed to heat, chevre softens but does not melt, making it a good choice for pasta dishes and pizzas. Chevre can be warmed in the oven and served on bread or crackers, grilled on top of pasta, or melted on pizza as an alternative to mozzarella. It can also be used in tarts to showcase its creaminess and flavour.
Goat's milk contains less lactic acid than cow's milk, which means that those who are lactose intolerant can often enjoy chevre without experiencing symptoms. Goat's milk also has higher levels of medium-chain fatty acids, which contribute to the characteristic tart flavour of goat's cheese. Chevre pairs well with sweet flavours, such as honey, apples, pears, or cranberries, and also combines well with savoury vegetables like caramelised onions, roasted beets, or roasted tomatoes.
When pairing wine with chevre, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc is recommended for younger cheeses, while an aged goat's cheese is better suited to a woody Chardonnay. A fruity Pinot Noir can also complement the tart flavours of chevre.
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Chevre's versatility
Chevre, or goat's cheese, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. While it does not melt in the same way as other cheeses, it softens when exposed to heat, making it perfect for adding to pasta dishes, pizzas, or salads. Chevre can also be grilled or baked in the oven and spread on bread or crackers, making it a delicious and easy lunch option. Its unique flavour, which can range from tangy and tart to rich and buttery, pairs well with sweet flavours such as honey, apples, pears, or cranberries, as well as savoury vegetables like caramelised onions, roasted beets, or tomatoes.
Goat's cheese, including chevre, is also a popular ingredient in desserts. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour can be balanced with honey and spices to create unique cheesecakes. Chevre can also be used in tarts or paired with sweet fruits to make a delicious and unexpected dessert.
The versatility of chevre extends beyond its use in sweet and savoury dishes. Its spreadable texture makes it ideal for appetizers, such as a popular French dish where a log of goat cheese is warmed in the oven, topped with thyme and honey, and served with bread or crackers. Chevre can also be used as a replacement for cream cheese on toast, bagels, or sandwiches, adding a distinct flavour to traditional dishes.
Additionally, chevre is a great option for those who are lactose intolerant. Since goat's milk contains less lactic acid than cow's milk, many people who are lactose intolerant can enjoy chevre without experiencing any symptoms. This makes it an inclusive option for those with dietary restrictions.
Finally, chevre pairs well with a variety of wines. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc complements younger chevre, while an aged chevre pairs perfectly with a woody Chardonnay. For those who enjoy a fruity red, this can enhance the tart flavours of the cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Chevre cheese does not melt in the same way as other cheeses. When exposed to heat, it softens but does not melt.
Chevre is a French word for goat and refers to cheese made from goat's milk. Chevre cheese is soft goat cheese with a distinct flavour that is rich, mellow, buttery and earthy.
Chevre cheese goes well with sweet flavours such as honey, figs, nuts, apples, pears and cranberries. It is also commonly paired with savoury vegetables like caramelised onions, roasted beets and roasted tomatoes.
