Andy Montoya
Feta and goat cheese are often confused with each other due to their similarities in appearance and texture. However, they are two distinct types of cheese with different compositions and tastes. Feta is traditionally made from sheep's milk, while goat cheese is made from goat's milk. Feta can contain up to 30% goat's milk, but if it exceeds this percentage, it is no longer classified as feta. In terms of nutrition, feta is lower in calories and fat content compared to goat cheese, making it a better option for weight loss diets. On the other hand, goat cheese is higher in protein and saturated fat. Both cheeses offer essential vitamins and minerals, but they differ in their specific nutrient profiles. For example, feta is richer in vitamin B12, vitamin B6, calcium, and selenium, while goat cheese contains more copper and vitamin A.
Is Feta Goat Cheese Fattening?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fat Content | Feta is lower in fat than many other cheeses and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation. However, goat cheese often has a bit more fat per ounce. |
| Calories | Feta is lower in calories than goat cheese. 100 grams of goat cheese has around 100 more calories than feta. |
| Sodium | Feta is higher in sodium than goat cheese. |
| Saturated Fat | Feta has a high amount of saturated fat, but goat cheese contains more. |
| Cholesterol | Feta ranks higher in cholesterol. |
| Carbohydrates | Feta ranks higher in carbohydrates. |
| Vitamins | Feta is richer in vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B5. Goat cheese is higher in copper and vitamin A. |
| Protein | Feta is a good source of protein, but goat cheese is infamous for its high protein content. |
| Texture | Feta tends to be chunky, while goat cheese takes on a crumbly or chalky texture. |
| Taste | Feta has a tangy, salty, and sometimes bitter taste. Goat cheese is saltier than feta and has been likened to cream cheese. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Feta is made from sheep's milk, sometimes with up to 30% goat's milk
Feta cheese is a soft, white-coloured cheese with a rich aroma and a slightly sour taste. It is one of the oldest cheeses in the world and is traditionally made from sheep's milk. However, it can also be made from a combination of sheep's and goat's milk, with the proportion of goat's milk not exceeding 30%. In the European Union (EU), feta cheese is regulated under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) indication, which ensures that any product labelled as "feta" contains at least 70% sheep's milk and no more than 30% goat's milk.
The use of sheep's milk gives feta its distinctive characteristics, including its soft, crumbly texture, salty flavour, and slight tang. It is aged in brine, which contributes to its firm and crumbly texture, as well as its salty and tangy taste. Feta cheese is a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium, protein, and B vitamins. It also contains a fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to potential health benefits such as reduced body fat.
While feta cheese offers these nutritional benefits, it is important to consume it in moderation due to its high sodium and saturated fat content. When compared to goat cheese, feta has slightly lower fat content and is considered a healthier option for those on a weight loss diet. Goat cheese, on the other hand, is made from 100% goat's milk and has a higher calorie count and saturated fat content than feta. It also has a stronger, earthier aroma and a bolder, more tart flavour.
The difference in the type of milk used gives feta and goat cheese their distinct characteristics, including taste, texture, and nutritional profiles. Feta cheese, with its traditional sheep's milk base, has a unique place in Greek cuisine and the Mediterranean diet, often enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, or as a table cheese. Its versatility, flavour, and nutritional content make it a popular choice for cheese lovers around the world.
Goat Cheese Trio: A Culinary Adventure in Three Courses
You may want to see also
Goat cheese is made from 100% goat's milk
Feta cheese is a soft, white-coloured cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk. It is one of the oldest cheeses in the world and is known for its rich aroma and slightly sour taste. While feta is an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. However, compared to other cheeses, feta is lower in fat and is considered a reasonable option to consume in moderation.
Goat cheese, on the other hand, is made from 100% goat's milk, with no sheep's milk. It is a type of cheese that varies in hardness, softness, stiffness, and crumbliness. Goat cheese has a stronger, earthier aroma and a bolder, slightly more acidic taste than feta. Its taste has been likened to cream cheese, and it is often used in heavier, savoury meals.
The main difference between feta and goat cheese lies in the type of milk used and their resulting nutritional profiles. Feta is traditionally made from 100% sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's and goat's milk, with the EU regulating that feta must contain at least 70% sheep's milk and no more than 30% goat's milk. In the US and other countries, feta may also be made from cow's milk or a combination of other types of milk.
Goat cheese, being made solely from goat's milk, has a higher protein content than feta. It is also higher in calories, containing approximately 100 more calories per 100 grams than feta. Additionally, goat cheese has higher saturated fat content. Feta, on the other hand, is richer in certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, zinc, and calcium. It also has a higher glycemic index and is higher in sodium.
Both feta and goat cheese can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. They offer different nutritional profiles, so the healthier option between the two depends on an individual's specific health and fitness goals. For those on a weight-loss diet, feta may be a better choice due to its lower calorie and fat content. However, if one has heart conditions, goat cheese may be preferable as it contains certain fatty acids, such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which have been linked to potential heart health benefits.
Goat Cheese Serving Size: How Much is Enough?
You may want to see also
Feta is lower in calories and fat than goat cheese
Feta and goat's cheese are often confused for one another due to their similar appearance, texture, and the fact that both are cured in brine. However, there are some key differences between the two cheeses, particularly in terms of their nutritional content.
Firstly, feta is typically made from sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep's and goat's milk, whereas goat's cheese is made solely from goat's milk. This difference in milk composition results in variations in their nutritional profiles.
Feta cheese is lower in calories and fat than goat's cheese. A 100-gram serving of goat's cheese contains around 100 more calories than the same amount of feta. Additionally, goat's cheese has a higher content of saturated fat. For this reason, feta is often considered the better option for those watching their weight.
On the other hand, goat's cheese is higher in protein and has a deeper flavour when it ages. It also contains more copper and vitamin A. Feta, on the other hand, is richer in vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, zinc, and calcium. It is also a good source of phosphorus, which, when consumed with calcium, has been linked to improved bone density and osteoporosis prevention.
Both cheeses are good sources of nutrients and can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. However, it is important to be mindful of individual health goals when choosing between the two. For example, while feta is lower in fat, it has higher levels of cholesterol and sodium, so those with heart conditions may be advised to opt for goat's cheese instead.
Brie vs Goat Cheese: Which is Healthier?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Goat cheese is saltier and has more protein
Feta and goat's cheese are often confused with each other due to their similar appearance and the fact that both are cured in brine. However, they are distinct from each other in terms of composition, taste, and nutritional value.
Goat's cheese is made from 100% goat's milk, whereas feta is primarily made from sheep's milk and may contain up to 30% goat's milk. Feta is also cured and aged in brine, which gives it a salty, tangy, and sometimes bitter taste. On the other hand, goat's cheese has an earthy, grassy aroma and a bold, tart flavour.
In terms of nutrition, goat's cheese is higher in protein content than feta. Goat's cheese is also higher in calories, saturated fat, and copper and vitamin A content. Feta, on the other hand, is lower in calories and is richer in vitamin B12, vitamin B6, selenium, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B5. Feta also has higher sodium content than goat's cheese.
Both cheeses are good sources of essential nutrients and can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. However, for those on a weight loss diet, feta may be a better option due to its lower calorie and fat content.
Freezing Fresh Goat Cheese: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Feta contains more calcium, vitamins and minerals
Feta is a Greek cheese traditionally made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep's and goat's milk. In the EU, feta is protected by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) indication, which ensures that any product labelled as "feta" contains at least 70% sheep's milk and no more than 30% goat's milk. However, feta produced outside the EU, such as in the US, may also contain cow's milk.
Feta cheese is an excellent source of nutrients, including calcium, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. It contains higher levels of calcium than many other cheeses, which is important for maintaining healthy teeth and bones. Feta also contains phosphorus, which, when consumed with calcium, has been linked to improved bone density and osteoporosis prevention. In addition to bone health, calcium and protein can help control blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes and helping to manage existing blood sugar-related conditions.
Feta is also a good source of B vitamins, which support a healthy nervous system, skin, and energy production. It contains vitamins A and K, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, and magnesium. The cheese also has beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus plantarum, which can promote immune system and gut health by protecting the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria.
While feta has numerous nutritional benefits, it is also high in sodium and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation. However, compared to other cheeses, feta is lower in fat and calories, making it a reasonable option for those looking for a healthier cheese option.
Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese: Pasteurized or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is lower in fat than many other cheeses and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation.
Goat cheese is higher in calories than feta, and contains more saturated fat.
Feta cheese is better for weight loss as it has fewer calories.
Feta is mostly made from sheep's milk, while goat cheese is made from goat's milk. Feta is also lower in fat and calories than goat cheese.
Feta is an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, and it also contains several B vitamins. It is lower in fat than many other cheeses and has a fatty acid known as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to help reduce body fat.
