Frederic Melton
Goat cheese is made from goat's milk. It can be made from the milk of any goat, but the most common breeds used for it are Alpine, Saanen, Poitevin, and Nubian. Goat cheese is produced around the world, with different recipes and styles, from fresh and soft to aged and hard. The process of making goat cheese involves filtering the milk to remove impurities, and then adding a curdling agent such as rennet or starter bacteria. Goat cheese has a unique flavor and texture, and it is known for its health benefits, including high levels of calcium, vitamins, and fatty acids. However, there are also ethical concerns related to the treatment of goats in the dairy industry, particularly regarding the abuse and slaughter of female goats and the killing of male goats.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Goat cheese-making process
Goat cheese is made from goat's milk, which is high in calcium, vitamins, phosphorus, and fatty acids. Goats were among the first animals to be domesticated for food production, and they produce high-quality, nutrient-rich milk even in difficult environments. This makes them valuable in areas where other livestock cannot survive.
The process of making goat cheese is quite simple and can be done at home with just a few ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make goat cheese:
Step 1: Prepare the Milk
Start with fresh, full-fat goat's milk, preferably pasteurized. Bring the milk to room temperature (68-72°F or 20-22°C). Avoid ultra-pasteurized milk as it won't curdle properly. If you can source raw goat's milk, that is an option too.
Step 2: Add Culture and Coagulant
Add a culture, such as a few drops of rennet, and a coagulant (curdling agent) like citric acid dissolved in water. You can also use lemon juice or vinegar if you don't have citric acid. This combination of milk, heat, and acid will cause the milk to coagulate and separate into curds and whey.
Step 3: Heat the Milk
Pour the milk into a large saucepan and gently heat it over medium heat until it reaches 85°C/185°F. Then, remove it from the heat. This temperature may vary slightly if you are using lemon juice or vinegar instead of citric acid.
Step 4: Drain and Collect Curds
Allow the milk to cool, then drain the mixture in a cheesecloth-lined colander to separate the curds from the whey. The curds are what will become your cheese.
Step 5: Add Salt and Flavorings (Optional)
At this stage, you can add cheese salt (kosher salt) or sea salt to your curds. You can also add dried herbs like chives, thyme, or rosemary, or cover the cheese in fresh herbs once it's molded. For a sweet touch, drizzle honey and cinnamon on top.
Step 6: Mold and Set the Cheese
Place the cheese in a mold and set it aside for 18-24 hours. You can also age the cheese for a more concentrated flavor, although this can take several months.
And that's it! You now have your very own homemade goat cheese. Experiment with different recipes and flavor combinations to create a variety of goat cheese styles, from fresh and soft to aged and hard.
Goat Cheese and Artery Health: What's the Truth?
You may want to see also
Goat cheese health benefits
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, refers to any cheese made from goat's milk. Goat cheese is made around the world, with France producing a great number of goat milk cheeses, especially in the Loire Valley and Poitou.
Goat cheese is a nutritious dairy product packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. It is a good source of selenium, an essential trace mineral more often found in seafood. Selenium helps the body break down DNA-damaging peroxides, which can lower the risk of developing conditions like cancer, thyroid disease, and cardiovascular disease. Goat cheese is also a good source of protein, with higher protein content than cow cheese.
Goat cheese is full of beneficial probiotics, a healthy kind of bacteria. Probiotics colonize the intestines and compete with any unhealthy bacteria or pathogens that they find there. This can improve the effectiveness of the immune system and reduce vulnerability to illness. Certain types of goat cheese contain beneficial bacteria called probiotics, including L. acidophilus and L. plantarum.
Goat cheese is also high in calcium, an essential nutrient for bones, teeth, and organs. A diet high in calcium can prevent the onset of osteoporosis and other bone disorders later in life. Calcium may also protect against cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Goat cheese also contains riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, which plays an important role in the production and functioning of new cells.
Goat cheese has lower levels of lactose and significantly less A1 casein than cow’s milk, making it a better choice for those intolerant to dairy products made from cow’s milk. Goat milk is easier for the stomach to digest because the fat molecules in goat cheese are shorter, making them more easily digestible compared to cow’s milk. The fatty acids in goat cheese are metabolized faster than in cow’s cheese, which means the body feels full faster.
Goat Cheese: Healthy or Harmful?
You may want to see also
Goat cheese recipes
Goat cheese is made from goat's milk and is produced around the world with a variety of recipes, resulting in many different styles of cheeses, from fresh and soft to aged and hard. Goat cheese is a good source of calcium, vitamins A and K, phosphorus, thiamin, and niacin. It is also high in protein and contains anti-inflammatory enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, and lipids.
Grilled Cheese
For a delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, try using goat cheese instead of the usual cheddar or American cheese. You can add some smoke provolone, tomato, and arugula to your sandwich for a flavourful kick.
Pasta
Goat cheese can be a great addition to your pasta dishes. Try making a pasta bake with sliced, sautéed eggplant, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and crumbled goat cheese. Alternatively, you can make a creamy pasta sauce by blending goat cheese with vinegar and oil.
Cheesecake
Goat cheese can be used to make a savoury cheesecake. Simply add some goat cheese to your favourite cheesecake recipe, and serve it with a berry sauce and fresh berries on the side.
Omelette
For a simple and tasty breakfast or brunch option, make an omelette with goat cheese. You can add some vegetables, such as spinach, and herbs for extra flavour.
Crostini
Try making some goat cheese crostini for a tasty appetizer or snack. Top your crostini with a tangy and sticky-sweet condiment, such as chhundo, and enjoy the combination of sweet and savoury flavours.
Soup
Goat cheese can add a creamy texture and tangy flavour to soups. Try making a cauliflower soup and topping it with herbed goat cheese, or simply add some goat cheese to your favourite soup recipe.
Salad
Goat cheese can be a great addition to your salads. Try making a baked goat cheese salad with a crispy exterior, or simply crumble some goat cheese over your favourite salad ingredients.
Desserts
Goat cheese can even be used in desserts! Try making a vanilla custard and blending it with soft goat cheese and a touch of lemon juice for a tangy and creamy pudding. Alternatively, you can make goat cheese custards with macerated strawberries for a sweet and fruity treat.
Frying Goat Cheese: A Beginner's Guide to Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Goat milk's nutritional value
Goat milk is nutrient-rich, containing anti-inflammatory enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, proteins, and lipids. It is also high in calcium, vitamins A and K, phosphorus, thiamin, and niacin. The consumption of 60 grams of goat cheese per day, as part of a balanced hypocaloric diet and alongside physical activity, has been linked to reduced body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference.
Goat milk is produced by domestic goats and is used to make a variety of cultured dairy products, including cheese. Goats were among the first animals to be domesticated for food production, and they continue to be valuable in arid or mountainous areas where other animals cannot survive. Their hardy digestive systems allow them to consume bitter plants that more delicate animals, such as cows and horses, cannot. This results in milk that is heavily influenced by their diet, which in turn affects the flavour of the cheese.
Goat milk is used to make a variety of cheeses, from fresh and soft to aged and hard. Examples of goat milk cheeses include Finnish squeaky cheese, Chèvre, Anthotyros, Manouri, Formaela, Añejo, Brunost, and Majorero. These cheeses vary in texture, flavour, and country of origin.
While goat milk and its products offer nutritional benefits, it is important to consider the ethical implications of the dairy goat industry. Male goats, or bucks, are often considered by-products and may be killed at birth or sold for meat. However, some farmers choose not to engage in this practice, and consumers can support these ethical farmers by buying from local family farms and researching the source of their goat cheese.
Folding Goat Cheese into Soda Bread: Perfect Timing
You may want to see also
Ethical concerns in the goat cheese industry
Goat cheese is produced using goat milk, the milk of domestic goats. Goat milk is commonly used to make cultured dairy products, including cheese. A variety of goat milk cheeses are produced around the world.
Goats were among the first animals to be domesticated for food production. They produce high-quality, nutrient-rich milk even in difficult environments, making them valuable to arid or mountainous areas where cattle and sheep cannot survive.
However, the goat cheese industry has faced ethical concerns regarding the treatment of goats. One of the main issues is the killing of male baby goats, as they do not produce milk and are thus considered by-products. Some farmers sell these male goats as "bottle babies" for meat, while others club or drown them. This practice has led consumers to question the ethics of the industry and seek alternatives.
Another concern is the intensive farming of goats, which can lead to suffering, similar to that of cows in the dairy industry. Goats are repeatedly impregnated to keep their milk flowing, and their young are taken from them, causing emotional, psychological, and physical distress. Additionally, the high demand for goat cheese may lead to overcrowding on farms, increasing the vulnerability of goats to disease, infection, and mistreatment.
To address these ethical concerns, consumers are encouraged to buy from local family farms, visit the farms, and ask questions about their practices. By supporting farms that operate humanely, consumers can drive industry change and promote higher standards of animal welfare.
Goat Cheese Salad: Perfect Pairings for a Creamy Classic
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese is made from goat's milk.
Goat cheese has a strong and earthy flavor with accents of citrus and milk. It tends to be tangier and softer than cow cheese.
Goat cheese is full of beneficial probiotics, a healthy kind of bacteria. It is also high in calcium, vitamins, minerals, protein, and heart-healthy fats.
PETA has exposed cases of abuse and neglect on goat farms, including the denial of veterinary care and violent treatment of goats. Male goats are considered a byproduct of the milk industry and are often slaughtered for meat.
