Bushra Griffith
Goat cheese, or Chèvre, is a versatile cheese with a wide range of flavours, textures, and types. It can be white, coated with ash or herbs, or wrapped in grape leaves. The younger and fresher the goat cheese, the milder and fresher it will taste. Harder and more ripened goat cheese will have a stronger flavour. Fresh goat cheese has a high water content and a white, smooth, and supple paste. It is mild and light in taste, making it a good introductory goat cheese for children. Goat cheese can be paired with honey, sliced pear, and walnuts, and enjoyed with a dark stout, gin and tonic, or a fruity and sweet white wine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Goat cheese can be mild or strong, depending on its age. Younger and fresher goat cheese is milder, whereas older and drier cheese is stronger. Flavours can range from tart citrus to freshly baked bread. |
| Texture | Goat cheese can be crumbly, creamy, wrinkly, firm, soft, or hard. Fresh goat cheese has a high water content and a smooth and supple texture. |
| Colour | Goat cheese is usually white, but it can also be coated with ash or wrapped in grape leaves. |
| Rind | Fresh goat cheese does not develop a rind, but aged variants may have natural or waxed rinds, or a fluffy white rind similar to Camembert or Brie. |
| Pairings | Goat cheese can be paired with honey, sliced pear, walnuts, stout, gin and tonic, or sweet white wine. |
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What You'll Learn
- Fresh goat cheese is mild and light in taste
- Flavors range from tart citrus to freshly baked bread
- Goat cheese is versatile and pairs well with drinks like stout, gin, and wine
- The younger and fresher the goat cheese, the milder it will taste
- Goat Gouda is super mild, but Snofrisk goat gouda starts mild and ends strong
Fresh goat cheese is mild and light in taste
Fresh goat cheese, also known as Chèvre, the French word for goat, comes in many different forms. It can be a fresh, crumbly log, a wrinkly round, a creamy blue, or a firm wedge. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes, such as warm goat cheese, goat cheese rounds with bacon, or mini-logs for appetizers and salads.
The ripening time of goat cheese plays a crucial role in its taste and texture. Semi-soft goat cheeses, aged for 8 to 15 days, have a white, soft texture and a pronounced goaty flavor. Hard and firm goat cheeses, aged for 3 to 4 weeks, have a fuller-bodied flavor and a drier texture. As the cheese dries or ripens, its flavor intensifies.
Goat cheese is also known for its health benefits. It has a relatively low lactose content, making it an excellent choice for people with lactose intolerance. Additionally, it contains capric acid, a flavorful fatty acid that promotes the development of good intestinal bacteria in humans.
Overall, fresh goat cheese offers a mild and light taste, making it a versatile and enjoyable option for those exploring the world of goat cheese.
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Flavors range from tart citrus to freshly baked bread
Goat cheese, or Chèvre, which is the French word for goat or goat cheese, comes in a variety of flavours and textures. It can be crumbly, creamy, young, mature, mild, or tangy. It is a versatile cheese and can be white, coated with ash or herbs, or wrapped in grape leaves. Its distinctive character comes from capric acid, a flavorful fatty acid that promotes the development of good intestinal bacteria in humans.
Flavours range from tart citrus to freshly baked bread. The younger and fresher the goat cheese is, the milder and fresher it will taste. Fresh goat cheese has a high water content and a perfectly white, smooth and supple paste. It is mild and light in taste, making it a good option for introducing children to goat cheese. Fresh goat cheese never develops a rind, whereas aged variants have a variety of coatings. Harder variants usually have natural or waxed rinds, while those ripened with white mould are coated in a fluffy jacket, similar to Camembert or Brie.
The flavour of goat cheese can also depend on the goat's diet. Goat milk is the least fatty type of milk, and the flavour of goat cheese can vary depending on what the goat has been eating. For example, the Drunken Goat cheese is mild and wonderful, according to one source. Another source mentions that Goat Gouda is super mild, but Snofrisk goat gouda starts mild and then has a strong goat flavour. Fresh chèvre is also mentioned as being less goat-tasting than the aged stuff, but it can be hard to find.
Goat cheese is a great option for those with lactose intolerance, as it has a relatively low lactose content. It is also a good source of capric acid, which is a flavorful fatty acid that promotes the development of good intestinal bacteria in humans. Goat cheese can be paired with a variety of drinks, such as dark stout, gin and tonic, or a fruity and sweet white wine. It can also be paired with food such as honey, sliced pear, and walnuts.
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Goat cheese is versatile and pairs well with drinks like stout, gin, and wine
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be paired with a variety of drinks, including stout, gin, and wine. While some people enjoy the strong and "goaty" flavor of goat cheese, others may prefer milder varieties.
When it comes to wine, goat cheese pairs well with both red and white options. For white wine lovers, a Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice. The tart, acidic, and citrusy notes of a Sauvignon Blanc complement the creaminess of goat cheese, adding a herbal twist to each bite. If you prefer red wine, a Cabernet Franc is a great option. Cabernet Franc wines from the Loire Valley, known for their lighter style, herbaceous notes, and tart acidity, pair beautifully with goat cheese without overwhelming its soft, impressionable nature. Other red wine options include Gamay, Malbec, Merlot, and Syrah, which have higher acidity and delicate flavors.
For a unique twist, goat cheese can also be paired with gin. By combining goat cheese with gin in a sealable plastic bag and following a fat-washing process, you can create a clear, golden-hued gin with a subtle earthy and goaty flavor. This technique involves dissolving the goat cheese in the gin, then soaking the mixture in a water bath above the melting point of the cheese. The result is a surprising and delightful combination that showcases the versatility of goat cheese.
Additionally, goat cheese can be enjoyed with a stout beer. While specific pairing recommendations are scarce, the creaminess and mild flavor of goat cheese can serve as a delightful counterpoint to the robust, roasted flavors of a stout.
Whether you enjoy the strong and distinctive flavor of goat cheese or prefer a milder variety, its versatility in pairing with drinks like stout, gin, and wine is undeniable. From classic wine combinations to innovative gin infusions, goat cheese offers a range of flavor experiences that can cater to different palates and preferences.
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The younger and fresher the goat cheese, the milder it will taste
The taste of goat cheese varies depending on its age and freshness. Younger and fresher goat cheese tends to have a milder flavour, while the taste intensifies as the cheese matures.
Goat cheese, also known as Chèvre (the French word for goat or goat cheese), comes in various forms, including logs, rounds, wedges, and blocks. It can be white, coated in ash or herbs, or wrapped in grape leaves. Fresh goat cheese, which is typically enjoyed within a few days of production, has a high water content and a smooth, supple texture. It is mild and light in taste, making it a good option for those new to goat cheese or for children. Examples of fresh goat cheese include the Unripened goat log plain, the Unripened goat log ash, and Whipped goat cheese.
As goat cheese matures, its flavour profile changes. Semi-soft goat cheeses aged for 8 to 15 days have a white, soft texture and a pronounced goaty flavour. Hard and firm goat cheeses, aged for 3 to 4 weeks, have a fuller-bodied flavour and a drier texture. Aged goat cheeses may develop a rind, ranging from natural or waxed rinds to fluffy white mould coatings similar to those found on Camembert or Brie.
The distinctive character of goat cheese comes from capric acid, a flavorful fatty acid found in goat's milk that promotes the development of good intestinal bacteria. Goat cheese is known for its tart, tangy, and earthy flavours, with nuances that can range from citrus to freshly baked bread. It has a soft, almost spreadable texture. Goat cheese is also known for its versatility, pairing well with various drinks such as dark stout, gin and tonic, or sweet white wine.
Overall, the age and freshness of goat cheese play a crucial role in determining its flavour profile. Younger and fresher cheeses offer a milder taste, while mature cheeses provide a stronger, more intense flavour.
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Goat Gouda is super mild, but Snofrisk goat gouda starts mild and ends strong
Goat cheese can vary in flavor from mild to strong, depending on the type of cheese and the diet of the goats. For instance, while some people enjoy the goaty" flavor of goat cheese, others find it too musky or gamey.
Goat Gouda, a variety of cheese that originates from the Netherlands, is known for its distinct tangy flavor, which sets it apart from traditional cow's milk Gouda. Despite its distinct flavor, Goat Gouda is considered super mild in terms of strength. It has a firm, crumbly texture and notes of caramel, nuts, and tart apples.
On the other hand, Snofrisk goat gouda, a spreadable variety of goat cheese, offers a different sensory experience. While it starts off mild, it ends with a strong goat flavor. This contrast makes it a unique and surprising choice for those who enjoy dynamic flavors. Snofrisk goat gouda is made from a blend of goat's milk and cow's milk cream, resulting in a creamy consistency and a mild initial taste.
The difference in flavor profiles between Goat Gouda and Snofrisk goat gouda can be attributed to several factors, including the specific blend of milk used, the aging process, and the diet of the goats. The aging process, in particular, can significantly impact the flavor of cheese, with aged goat cheeses tending to have a stronger flavor than their fresh counterparts.
For those who enjoy the mildness of goat cheese, fresh chèvre is another option that is less goat-tasting than aged varieties. However, finding good fresh chèvre can be challenging, and it may be easier to obtain in certain regions, such as Illinois, or through shipping. Ultimately, personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the right goat cheese, as some people appreciate the stronger flavors while others prefer the milder varieties.
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Frequently asked questions
The strength of goat cheese depends on how it's produced. The younger and fresher the goat cheese, the milder it will taste. The older and drier the goat cheese, the stronger it will taste.
The strength of the "goatyness" in goat cheese depends on how old the milk is when it's processed and whether male and female goats are kept together. The older the milk, the stronger the "goatyness". During breeding season, male goats produce strong-smelling hormones that can make the females' milk taste stronger.
Goat cheese can range from gamey and tangy to mild and lightly sweet. It can also be creamy with hints of hazelnut and dried herbs.
Goat cheddars and goat goudas are good starter goat cheeses as they are extremely mild. LeClare's Goat Cheddar and Beecher's Goat Gouda are recommended.
Goat cheese pairs well with beer, dark stout, a gin and tonic, or a fruity and sweet white wine. It can also be paired with honey, sliced pear, and walnuts.
