Randy Chandler
Crumbled goat cheese is a delicious topping for salads, wraps, pizzas, and crostinis. However, crumbling goat cheese can be challenging, as softer cheeses tend to smush and smear. To crumble a log of goat cheese, it is recommended to chill the cheese in the freezer for two to three minutes and then use a fork to pull it apart. This technique helps to prevent the cheese from melting due to body heat. Alternatively, the cheese can be dried in cheesecloth to remove excess moisture and create a crumbly texture.
How to crumble goat cheese log
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Keep the goat cheese cold, but not frozen. |
| Tools | Use a fork to crumble the cheese. |
| Technique | Pull the cheese apart with a fork. |
| Time | Only freeze the cheese for 2-3 minutes. |
| Type of cheese | Drier goat cheese is easier to crumble. |
| Serving suggestion | Let the cheese warm up a bit on the salad or fruit plate before serving. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a fork to crumble
Crumbling a log of goat cheese with a fork is a great way to avoid the cheese warming and sticking to your fingers. It's also a good method to use if you want to add flavourings to your cheese.
First, place the goat cheese in the freezer for a few minutes to make it extra cold. This firms up the fat in the cheese, helping it to keep its shape as you crumble it. Make sure you don't leave it in the freezer for too long, though—two or three minutes should be enough.
Next, take the cheese out of the freezer and place it on a plate or in a mixing bowl. Using a fork, start to crumble the cheese by pulling it apart gently. If the cheese is very creamy, you may need to use your fingers as well as the fork to get it to crumble. But try to use your fingers as little as possible to avoid the cheese melting and becoming gummy.
If you want to add flavourings to your crumbled goat cheese, now is the time to do it. You can add all sorts of toppings and flavour combinations, such as toasted walnuts and honey, lemon zest and cracked pepper, or strawberry rosemary sea salt. Simply use the fork to mash the flavourings into the cheese until you have a consistent mixture.
Finally, if you're making a cheese log, take a sheet of plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment and roll the cheese mixture into a log shape. Wrap the paper or plastic around the log, twisting the ends to seal it, then chill it in the fridge or freezer until it's firm.
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Crumble with gloves
Crumbling a log of goat cheese with gloves is a good way to reduce the mess. It is best to start with a cold log of goat cheese, as this will be firmer and easier to crumble. You can also place the log in the freezer for 5-10 minutes to make it even easier to crumble.
Once the cheese is cold, put on some gloves. Gloves will help to keep your hands clean and reduce the mess. You can now crumble the cheese by hand, pulling it apart into small pieces. If the cheese is very sticky, you can also cut it with a knife to create pillows of soft and creamy cheese.
If you are struggling to crumble the cheese by hand, you can also use a fork to break it up. This can be a good option if the cheese is very sticky or if your body heat is causing the cheese to melt. Place the cheese on a sheet of wax paper or foil and use the fork to pull it apart.
If you are looking for a finer crumble, you can also try grating the cheese with a cheese grater. This will give you a more consistent crumble size, but it may be more difficult to achieve if the cheese is very soft.
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Try a different variety of goat cheese
If you're struggling to crumble a goat cheese log, it may be worth trying a different variety of goat cheese. Goat cheeses come in a wide range of textures and flavours, so you're sure to find one that crumbles more easily.
One factor that affects the crumbliness of goat cheese is moisture content. Goat cheeses that are drier tend to crumble more easily. You can reduce the moisture content of a goat cheese by drying it in cheesecloth or placing it in the freezer. However, instead of trying to reduce the moisture content of a creamy goat cheese, it may be easier to simply opt for a drier variety.
One variety of goat cheese that is known for being crumbly is Chèvre, or goat cheese. This variety is white and crumbly and is often used in beet salads. Chèvre can be found in most cheese shops or cheese counters, and some retailers sell it pre-crumbled.
In addition to Chèvre, there are several other varieties of goat cheese that you may want to try. If you're looking for something with a strong flavour, try a longer-aged variety, which tend to be more mellow and nutty than their younger counterparts. Washed-rind goat cheeses are also known for their unique, funky flavour. For a sweet option, try goat brie, or Brunost, a brown goat cheese from Norway. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try a blue goat cheese, which has a surprisingly savoury flavour.
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Place in the freezer
Freezing goat cheese is a great way to avoid food waste and make it convenient to enjoy goat cheese more often. Goat cheese can be frozen in whole bricks or logs because they are meant to be crumbled later. It is best to use the cheese within 3 months for the best flavour and texture. For storing, place the goat cheese log in the freezer in its original packaging or wrapped in plastic wrap and inside an airtight ziploc freezer bag. This will help prevent freezer burn and preserve the quality of the cheese as much as possible.
When you want to use the frozen goat cheese, transfer the required amount from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight. Once the cheese is at room temperature, take it out of the ziploc bag, unwrap and place it in a bowl. Give it a stir to restore its creaminess.
If you want to crumble the goat cheese, you can place the log in the freezer just long enough for it to firm up a bit. Then, cut it into slices, stack the slices with parchment paper between them, and wrap them in bundles. This will help reduce bulk and cut down on plastic wrap needed. You can then open and remove a single slice as needed and wrap the rest back up.
Freezing goat cheese may change its texture and taste. This is because when cheese is frozen, ice crystals form, and the water in the cheese expands and contracts as it cools. This can lead to the cheese becoming crumbly when you thaw it, and soft cheeses can come out of the freezer with lots of excess liquid. However, freezing is still a good option to extend the shelf life of goat cheese and make it more convenient to enjoy.
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Use goat cheese paper wrapping
To crumble a log of goat cheese, it is important to start with a cold cheese log. Place the log in the freezer for a while, and then use a fork to crumble it. You can also use your fingers, but the warmth from your hands might melt the cheese.
Now, onto the use of paper wrapping for goat cheese. Paper wrapping is a great way to store goat cheese and other cheeses. It is essential to master the art of wrapping cheese with paper to preserve its quality and extend its shelf life. Here are some tips for using paper wrapping for goat cheese:
Choose the Right Paper
Select appropriate wrapping materials, such as cheese paper or parchment paper. Cheese paper, like Formaticum, is specifically designed for cheese storage. It is a two-ply paper that allows the cheese to breathe while maintaining the proper humidity. The outer layer is typically made of wax-coated paper, while the inner layer is porous and absorbs excess moisture. Parchment paper or wax paper can also be used as alternatives, offering good breathability and moisture control.
Wrapping Technique
When wrapping goat cheese, ensure that the paper is large enough to comfortably wrap the entire cheese with some extra to fold over. You can also use foil or waxed paper to wrap the cheese. Change the wrapping each time you use the cheese to prevent moisture buildup and maintain freshness.
Storage
Properly wrapped goat cheese should then be stored in a designated cheese drawer or container in the refrigerator. The ideal storage temperature for most cheeses is between 35°F and 45°F (1.7°C to 7.2°C). This temperature range helps slow down bacterial growth while preventing the cheese from freezing or drying out.
Labeling
Finally, don't forget to label the wrapped cheese with the cheese name and use-by date for easy identification. This will help you keep track of when to consume the cheese and ensure you enjoy it at its freshest.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the goat cheese log in the freezer for two to three minutes. Then, use a fork to crumble the cheese.
The stickiness of goat cheese is due to the moisture content. The creamy goat cheese has more moisture than crumbly goat cheese.
It is best to only leave the goat cheese in the freezer for two to three minutes. Any longer, and the cheese will become too hard.
Crumbled goat cheese can be used in salads, wraps, pizzas, and crostinis.
Blue cheese and chèvre tend to smush and smear instead of crumbling.
