Frederic Melton
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is made from goat's milk and comes in many forms, including logs of fresh cheese, aged cheddar, and even brie. Goat cheese is known for its creamy, distinct, tangy flavor and is a popular alternative to cheese made from cow's milk. Goat cheese is considered a healthier option than traditional cheese due to its lower calorie and fat content, higher vitamin and mineral content, ease of digestion, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. However, it's important to note that goat cheese is not completely lactose-free and should be consumed in moderation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Goat cheese is white and crumbly, and has a bright white paste. Goat brie has a bright white paste and rind. Cow's milk brie is cream-colored. |
| Flavor | Goat cheese has a tangy, mineral-y, grassy, or spicy flavor. Goat brie has a slight tang and an earthy flavor. Cow's milk brie is earthy and creamy with notes of asparagus or broccoli. |
| Aroma | Goat cheese has a yeasty, wet hay aroma. Goat brie is milder and less aromatic than cow's milk brie. |
| Texture | Goat cheese can be sticky to runny. Goat brie is creamy and gooey. Cow's milk brie is soft and gooey. |
| Nutrition | Goat's milk contains less protein, fat, and calories than cow's milk, but has more vitamin A, vitamin B1, and riboflavin. |
| Pairing | Goat brie pairs well with baguettes, crackers, fresh fruit, cured meat, and olives. It can be baked in a skillet with mushrooms, wrapped in puff pastry, or topped with honey. |
| Storage | Goat brie can be stored loosely wrapped in parchment or wax paper in the refrigerator for several weeks. |
| Availability | Goat cheese and goat brie are widely available in grocery stores and specialty cheese shops. |
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What You'll Learn
- Goat's milk brie has a tangy, mineral-y taste, while cow's milk brie is earthy and creamy
- Goat's milk brie is easier to digest than cow's milk brie
- Goat's milk brie is more expensive than cow's milk brie
- Goat's milk brie is whiter than cow's milk brie
- Goat's milk brie is buttery and rich, with a sweet and delicate flavour
Goat's milk brie has a tangy, mineral-y taste, while cow's milk brie is earthy and creamy
Goat's milk brie has a tangy, earthy, and mineral-y taste, while cow's milk brie is earthy and creamy. These differences in flavour are due to the different sizes of fat globules in the milk of the two animals. Goat's milk has smaller fat globules that keep the cream incorporated, while cow's milk has larger fat globules that cause the cream to rise to the top.
Goat's milk brie is also known for its bright white paste and edible rind, while cow's milk brie has a cream-coloured rind and paste. The difference in colour is due to the fact that goats convert carotene in grass and hay into colourless vitamin A, while cows do not, giving their milk a yellowish tint.
Goat's milk brie tends to be milder and less aromatic than cow's milk brie. It also has a firmer texture and a slightly thinner rind. Despite these differences, goat's milk brie can be used as a substitute for cow's milk brie in most recipes.
Goat's milk brie is also said to be easier to digest than cow's milk brie. This is because goat's milk contains less protein, fat, and calories, while having higher amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B1, and riboflavin.
In terms of pairings, goat's milk brie goes well with crackers, fresh fruit, cured meat, and olives. It can be baked in a skillet with mushrooms, wrapped in puff pastry, or topped with honey. Cow's milk brie, on the other hand, is often paired with sweeter items such as jam and strawberries. Both types of brie can be enjoyed with wine, especially white wine.
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Goat's milk brie is easier to digest than cow's milk brie
Goat's milk brie also differs from cow's milk brie in terms of color. The rind and interior of goat's milk brie are a brighter white compared to the cream color of cow's milk brie. This is because goats convert the carotene in grass and hay into colorless vitamin A, while cows do not, resulting in a yellowish tint to their milk.
Another difference between the two types of brie is texture. Goat's milk brie tends to have a firmer texture than cow's milk brie, which is often described as creamy and runny. Despite these variations, both types of brie share some similarities. They both have an edible bloomy rind, and while some people may be hesitant to consume it, including a bit of rind and paste in each bite is generally recommended to enhance the overall experience of the cheese.
In terms of flavor, goat's milk brie typically has a slightly tangy, earthy flavor with notes of mushrooms. In contrast, cow's milk brie is known for its earthy and creamy taste, with hints of asparagus or broccoli. Goat's milk brie is also less spicy and has a milder aroma, making it a more subtle option for those who find the scent of cow's milk brie too intense.
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Goat's milk brie is more expensive than cow's milk brie
Firstly, let's talk about supply and demand. Goats are smaller animals that produce a fraction of the milk volume compared to cows. According to statistics, in 2020, there were approximately 9.4 million milk cows in the US, while there were only about 420,000 milk goats, a mere 4% of the number of milk cows. This limited supply of goat's milk leads to higher prices. Additionally, cows are more easily domesticated and suited to large-scale dairy farming, further contributing to the higher availability and lower cost of cow's milk.
The production processes for goat's milk cheese also play a role in its higher price. Goat's milk cheeses often involve traditional, artisan methods, small-batch production, and specialized techniques. These factors increase the labor and time required to produce goat's milk brie, driving up costs. In contrast, cow's milk benefits from economies of scale in large-scale, high-tech dairy operations, making it more affordable to produce and sell.
Another factor is the unique characteristics of goat's milk. Goat's milk has smaller fat globules that keep the cream incorporated, resulting in a milder flavor and a brighter white color compared to cow's milk brie. Goat's milk brie is also known for its tangy, earthy, or slightly spicy flavor profile, which is attributed to the filtering process by a goat's liver, removing beta carotene and promoting healing. These distinct sensory attributes contribute to the higher price point of goat's milk brie as they offer a unique taste and visual experience.
The higher price of goat's milk brie can also be attributed to the absence of government subsidies and marketing support for goat dairy farms, unlike their cow dairy counterparts, who receive substantial funding and promotional assistance from traditional "milk marketing boards." This disparity in financial backing further contributes to the higher cost of producing and selling goat's milk brie.
Lastly, the season of the year, aging techniques, and transportation costs can influence the pricing of goat's milk brie. These factors, along with the previously mentioned ones, collectively contribute to the higher price of goat's milk brie compared to its cow's milk counterpart.
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Goat's milk brie is whiter than cow's milk brie
Goat's milk brie is also milder and less aromatic than cow's milk brie. Goat's milk contains smaller fat globules, which keep the cream incorporated rather than allowing it to rise to the top, as is the case with cow's milk. This can make goat's milk brie easier to digest for those who are intolerant to cow's milk. Goat's milk also contains slightly less protein, fat, and calories than cow's milk, with more vitamin A, vitamin B1, and riboflavin.
Goat's milk brie has a slightly tangy, often earthy flavour, with a bright white paste and edible rind. It has a creamy texture that can be described as more gooey than the runnier texture of cow's milk brie. Goat's milk brie pairs well with a baguette or crackers, and can be baked in a skillet with mushrooms or wrapped in puff pastry.
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Goat's milk brie is buttery and rich, with a sweet and delicate flavour
Goat's milk brie is often compared to cow's milk brie, which has a cream-coloured rind and a runnier texture. Cow's milk brie is also more earthy and creamy, with notes of asparagus or broccoli. Goat's milk brie, on the other hand, has a subtle grassy flavour and a sweet and delicate taste. It is also lower in lactose and has smaller curds, making it easier to digest for some people.
The production process for goat's milk brie is similar to that of cow's milk brie. Rennet and enzymes are added to the milk, and it is then heated to form curds. These curds are packed into moulds, and the excess whey is drained off. Yeast is added to feed the Penicillium candidum mould, which is responsible for the rind.
Goat's milk brie pairs well with a variety of foods, such as baguettes, crackers, fresh fruit, cured meat, and olives. It can be baked in a skillet with mushrooms, wrapped in puff pastry, or topped with honey. It is also a good choice for grilled cheese or pizza and can be used in dips. For the best flavour, it is recommended to let the cheese come to room temperature before serving.
Goat's milk brie can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks when wrapped loosely in parchment or wax paper. It can also be frozen for up to six months, although the texture and flavour may suffer. Overall, goat's milk brie is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese is a type of cheese made from goat's milk. It has a signature tangy flavor and a smoother, creamier texture compared to cow's milk cheese.
Brie is a soft-ripened cheese with a creamy paste and an edible rind. It is usually made with cow's milk, but some French, American, and Canadian cheesemakers also use goat's milk.
The main difference between goat cheese and brie is their milk source. Goat cheese is made from goat's milk, while brie is typically made from cow's milk. Goat cheese has a tangier, more mineral-like taste and a creamier texture due to the higher concentration of fatty acids and lower amount of milk protein in goat's milk. Brie, on the other hand, has a milder flavor and a softer, creamier texture.
Both cheeses offer nutritional benefits, but their profiles differ slightly. Goat cheese is slightly higher in calories and fat but provides more essential nutrients, including higher levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamins, especially vitamin A. Brie, on the other hand, has slightly lower calories and fat content but may not offer the same level of nutrients as goat cheese.
Goat cheese and brie are both versatile cheeses that can be used in a variety of dishes. Goat cheese pairs well with crackers, fresh fruit, and seasonal vegetables. It can also be added to sandwiches, egg dishes, or used as a topping for pizzas or grilled cheese. Brie is delicious on a baguette or with fresh fruit and cured meat. It can be baked in a skillet with mushrooms, wrapped in puff pastry, or topped with honey. Both cheeses can also be enjoyed on a cheese platter or as a snack.
