Kamil Perry
Goat cheese is a tangy, tart, and creamy cheese made from goat's milk. It has a unique flavour that some describe as goaty, which can be off-putting to those who are unfamiliar with it. However, when paired with something sweet, such as honey, fruit, or even chocolate, the flavour can be mellowed out and made more approachable. The sweetness helps to balance out the tanginess of the cheese, creating a delicious combination of flavours that can be enjoyed on a cheese board, as an appetizer, or in cooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Sweet, tangy, tart, herbaceous, floral, fruity, delicate, creamy, nutty, buttery, mellow, citrusy |
| Texture | Creamy, dry, crumbly, sticky, runny, velvety, thick, moist, silken, squishy |
| Aroma | Yeasty, wet hay, grape juice, red wine, between grape juice and red wine |
| Accompaniments | Honey, mild cheese, sweet conserve, nuts, fresh fruits, bread, crackers, baguette, crostini, toast, bagels, salad, pizza, sandwiches, burgers |
| Type | Chevre, goat brie, goat cheddar, goat gouda, goat goudas, goat cheddar, goat gorgonzola, goat swiss, goat cheddar, goat camembert, goat roquefort |
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Flavoured goat cheese
Goat cheese, or chèvre, comes in a variety of flavours, textures, and ages. Flavoured goat cheese can be sweet, herbaceous, or savoury.
Sweet Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is often described as having a tangy, lemony, or citrusy flavour, with a hint of sweetness. However, some flavoured goat cheeses lean into this natural sweetness, creating a unique taste experience. For example, a mango lassi-flavoured goat cheese with a hint of fruity habanero heat. This sweet and creamy cheese can be spread on wheat crackers or slathered on strawberries.
Herbaceous Goat Cheese
Some goat cheeses are rolled in a mix of herbs, such as parsley, dill, chives, tarragon, and basil, creating an extremely herbaceous flavour. This type of goat cheese is mildly tangy and creamy and can be enjoyed on a burger or lamb burger, spread on the bun for an elevated flavour.
Savoury Goat Cheese
Goat cheese can also take on savoury flavours, such as truffle. Truffle goat cheese is a luxurious addition to any cheese board or charcuterie plate, offering a strong, high-quality truffle flavour. Another savoury option is lavender and fennel pollen goat cheese, which balances the savoury flavour of goat cheese with a touch of florality, tasting like "a walk in a beautiful garden."
Other Flavours
Goat cheese is incredibly versatile, and other flavours include garlic and herb, cranberry cinnamon, blueberry vanilla, tomato basil, orange blossom honey, and honey.
Pairing Goat Cheese
Goat cheese pairs well with sweet toppings like honey, compote, or fruit, and can be enjoyed on a baguette, pizza, or crostini. It can also be paired with savoury foods like lamb or served on a cheese board with avocado or smoked salmon for a fancy brunch.
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Goat cheese pairings
Goat cheese, or chèvre, can be tangy, sweet, herbaceous, or savoury. It can be used in sweet or savoury dishes and pairs well with many ingredients.
Goat cheese is at its peak in springtime when the goats graze on fresh, tender grass, giving the cheese a thick, rich, and delicious flavour. It is also believed that goat milk is sweet when the buck is not in the herd.
Pairings for Savoury Dishes
Goat cheese pairs well with artichoke, goat cheese and dill tarts, arugula or spinach salad, roasted beets, balsamic vinaigrette, walnuts, and pecans. It can also be used in sandwiches, paired with marinated portobello, roasted red pepper, and ciabatta.
Pairings for Sweet Dishes
Goat cheese can be paired with sweet ingredients like honey, thyme, and phyllo dough. It can be baked with whole figs and prosciutto or pears, caramelized onions, and a balsamic reduction. It also goes well with strawberries, sugar snap peas, and asparagus.
Goat cheese can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a cheese plate. It can be spread on a baguette or crostini and topped with honey or a sweet compote. It can also be added to pizzas, flatbreads, or crackers.
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Chevre
Goat cheese, including Chevre, can have a wide range of flavours, from sweet to herbaceous to savoury. The specific flavour of Chevre depends on several factors, such as the breed of goat, their diet, and environmental factors such as climate and altitude. Chevre made from raw or unpasteurized milk tends to have stronger flavours and aromas.
The texture of Chevre can vary from soft and creamy to hard and crumbly, depending on its age. Fresh Chevre is often sold in tubs or logs and may be seasoned with peppercorns, herbs, or other coatings. Aged Chevre may be coated in edible ash and is often found in wheels.
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Goat cheese types
Goat cheese, or "chèvre" in French, is made from goat's milk and is known for its tangy, creamy, and crumbly qualities. The flavour of goat cheese varies from sweet and delicate to savoury or even spicy, with hints of lemon, dill, herbs, and citrus. Goat cheese can be fresh, aged, soft-ripened, or a combination of these.
Fresh goat cheese is the most popular type sold in the US and is often soft and spreadable, with a higher moisture content than aged cheeses. Examples include fresh chèvre, which is known for its vibrant, creamy bite, and Sgt. Pepper® Herb Goat Cheese: Herbs de Humboldt®.
Aged goat cheese is pressed hard for a minimum of 10 days and can be covered in edible ash to prevent it from drying out. Examples include Midnight Moon, known for its nutty richness, and Lamb Chopper, which has a bold, tangy profile. Other aged goat cheeses include Gouda, cheddar, and manchego, which can be made from goat milk as well as cow milk.
Soft-ripened goat cheese has a mushroomy rind, gooey creamline, and dense paste. Examples include Humboldt Fog, which is known for its luxurious softness, and Truffle Tremor, which has buttery, tangy notes.
In addition to these categories, there are several other types of goat cheese worth noting. Goat brie, for example, is a French-inspired, buttery, and rich cheese made with goat milk. It has a sweet and delicate flavour with a slight citrus tang. Bonne Bouche is another type of goat cheese with a sweet, mellow flavour produced using the yeast geotrichum candidum. Añejo cheese is a firm, aged Mexican cheese traditionally made from skimmed goat's milk, but it is often available made from skimmed cow's milk. Finally, Majorero, a Spanish cheese similar to Manchego, is protected under European Law with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
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Goat cheese taste
Goat cheese, or "chevre" in French, is known for its tangy, tart flavour, which is often described as "goaty". The tanginess of goat cheese is due to the higher levels of lactic acid in goat's milk compared to cow's milk. The longer the cheese is aged, the more approachable it tends to be, with younger goat cheeses being more piquant and goaty.
Goat cheese can range from sweet and creamy to savoury and herbaceous. Some varieties have hints of lemon, nut skins, or cooked milk, while others are flavoured with lavender, fennel pollen, or herbs such as parsley, dill, chives, tarragon, and basil. The type of milk used, the age of the milk, and the diet of the goats can all influence the flavour of the cheese.
Goat cheese is often paired with sweet foods, such as honey, fruit, or nuts. The combination of honey and goat cheese is a classic, with many people enjoying the pairing on toast or as part of a salad. Fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, figs, or grapes, can also complement the flavour of goat cheese, especially when paired with more aged cheeses.
When it comes to using goat cheese in cooking, it is a popular ingredient in appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. It can be spread on bread or crostini, crumbled over salads, or melted atop pizzas. Goat cheese is also a good alternative to cream cheese, and can be used in place of cream cheese on toast, bagels, or sandwiches.
Overall, goat cheese offers a unique and diverse range of flavours, from sweet and creamy to tangy and savoury, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese naturally has a tangy, tart flavour. However, it can be paired with sweet foods like honey, fruits, and nuts to create a sweet and savoury combination.
Chevre is a general term for any cheese made from goat's milk. It is the French word for "goat". In the US, Chevre typically refers to a soft, fresh goat cheese.
Goat cheese pairs well with honey, fruits like apples, peaches, apricots, and berries, and nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios. It can be spread on bread or crackers, crumbled over salads, or melted on pizza.
The strength of the "goatyness" flavour in goat cheese depends on how old the milk is when it is processed and whether male goats, or bucks, are kept with the female goats, or does.
