Andy Montoya
Goat cheese is a delicious addition to any cheese tray or charcuterie board. It comes in a variety of textures and flavours, from soft and creamy to hard and aged, and pairs well with meats, crackers, nuts, and spreads. When preparing a goat cheese tray, it is essential to consider the shape of the cheese and the cutting technique to ensure even distribution of flavours and to preserve the aromas and shelf life of the cheese. Small goat cheeses can be cut into equal parts from the centre to the edge, similar to cutting a cake, while long cheeses should be cut into round slices. To avoid mixing distinct flavours, it is recommended to use a separate knife or wipe the knife between cuts. Proper storage and planning are also crucial to ensure the cheese lasts as long as possible and reaches optimal temperature and texture before serving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat cheese varieties | Fresh, soft, hard, aged, bloomy rind, grated |
| Goat cheese shapes | Round, long, log |
| Cutting technique | From the centre outward, in equal-sized wedges |
| Cutting tools | Traditional knife with a curved tip and twin-forked end, cheese harp, cheese planer, wire cheese slicer, dental floss |
| Presentation | On a cheese board or tray, with meats, crackers, nuts, fruits, and spreads |
| Storage | In a specially designed cheese wrap, Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags, or an airtight container |
| Temperature | Bring to room temperature before serving |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese varieties and their uses
When it comes to cutting goat cheese, the right technique can help preserve the aromas and extend the shelf life of the cheese, allowing your guests to enjoy its nuances. The correct knife is essential to cutting the cheese appealingly. You can use a traditional knife with a curved tip and twin-forked end, or a cheese harp, which is especially useful for cutting goat cheese logs into clean, thin, and precise slices.
Now, let's delve into the four main varieties of goat cheese and their uses:
Fresh Goat Cheese
Fresh goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is young and rindless, with a chalky-white appearance and a tart flavour. It is often sold in tubes in supermarkets and specialty cheese shops. Fresh goat cheese is versatile and can be used in various dishes. It can be spread on breadsticks, crackers, or fruits, or added to charcuterie meats for a tasty treat.
Bloomy Rind Goat Cheese
This variety of goat cheese is coated with Penicillium candidum, the same mould used to make Brie and Camembert. This gives it a soft, bloomy, and slightly fuzzy rind. Bloomy rind goat cheese melts beautifully, making it perfect for salads, sandwiches, and open-face sandwiches (tartines) that are broiled until oozy. Its complex flavour also makes it an excellent choice for a cheese tray.
Aged Goat Cheese
Aged goat cheeses, such as Garrotxa, Gouda, and Tomme de Chèvre, develop a more subtle flavour and aroma as they mature. They lose the intense tanginess associated with younger goat cheeses and take on nutty and cooked milk flavours. Aged goat cheeses can be grated or shaved and added to salads, bruschetta, or pasta for an intense flavour boost. They are also delightful on a cheese tray, where they can be brought to room temperature to allow their fullest flavour to shine.
Semi-Firm Goat Cheese
Semi-firm goat cheeses, like the aptly named Drunken Goat, offer a milder option. Drunken Goat cheese, made in Spain, is soaked in wine, giving it a distinct fruity flavour and violet-coloured rind. Its mild and smooth character makes it a popular "gateway" cheese for those who want to explore the world of goat cheese without the gamey flavours some varieties are known for.
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How to cut goat cheese
Goat cheese is a common addition to cheese trays, charcuterie boards, and other dishes. Knowing how to cut it correctly can help to preserve its aromas and extend its shelf life. Here is a guide on how to cut goat cheese, depending on its shape and size.
Small goat cheeses, such as Crottin de Chavignol or Chabichou du Poitou, should be cut into equal parts from the center to the edge. Round cheeses, like Camembert, should be cut like a cake, working from the center outward to the rind and serving same-sized triangular wedges. Long cheeses, such as Ripened goat log, should be cut into round slices. Pyramids are cut into thin triangular portions from the center down through the height of the cheese. To avoid the last portion being just the rind, always carve a tip on each piece. You can then cut parallel slices lengthwise from the tip or diagonally from the edge.
When cutting goat cheese, it is important to use the right knife. A traditional knife with a curved tip and twin-forked end is a good option for goat cheese. If you only have one knife, be sure to wipe it clean between cuts to avoid mixing flavors. A less common tool, the cheese harp, is also a good option for goat cheese logs. Fitted with a cheese-cutting wire, it can make clean, thin, and precise cuts into slices without crumbling the cheese.
In addition to cutting technique, there are other ways to ensure your goat cheese is presented and served in the best way. It is recommended to cut cheeses from mildest to strongest to prevent flavors from mingling. It is also important to bring goat cheese to room temperature before serving to bring out its fullest flavor.
Finally, goat cheese can be grated or shaved, although most goat cheeses do not grate well. The hardest-aged goat cheeses can be grated, especially if you place them in the freezer first. Grated goat cheese can be added as a finishing touch to salads, bruschetta, or pasta.
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Goat cheese accompaniments
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. It is also a popular choice for cheese plates and charcuterie boards, where it adds a tangy, herbaceous, and creamy element.
When preparing a cheese plate, it is important to consider the different textures and flavours of the cheeses and how they will be presented and paired with other foods. For a well-rounded cheese plate, aim to include a variety of textures and flavours, such as hard and soft cheeses, and consider adding accompaniments like cured meat, crackers, nuts, and fruits.
- Cured meats: Goat cheese pairs well with savoury meats such as prosciutto, pancetta, and salami.
- Fruits and vegetables: Try pairing goat cheese with strawberries, sugar snap peas, asparagus, roasted beets, arugula, spinach, or tomatoes. Dried fruits such as figs also complement the tangy flavour of goat cheese.
- Condiments and seasonings: Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and herbs such as dill, basil, and crushed red pepper can enhance the flavour of goat cheese.
- Bread and crackers: Goat cheese can be served with bread, such as baguette slices or cinnamon raisin toast, or crackers.
- Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, and pine nuts can add a crunchy texture and flavour to goat cheese dishes.
- Salads: Goat cheese can be crumbled over a variety of salads, such as an arugula and beet salad with a balsamic vinaigrette, or a salad with spring mix, beets, orange wedges, and toasted nuts.
- Sandwiches: Try pairing goat cheese with grilled portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and ciabatta bread for a savoury sandwich, or with honey, figs, and prosciutto for a sweet and savoury combination.
- Soups: Goat cheese can be swirled into soups, such as tomato soup, to add creaminess and flavour.
- Wine: A glass of Pinot Noir can complement the flavour of goat cheese.
When preparing goat cheese for a cheese plate or charcuterie board, it is recommended to bring it to room temperature before serving to enhance its flavour and texture. Additionally, consider the shape of the cheese and cut it into equal portions to ensure each guest can enjoy the full range of flavours and textures. For soft goat cheeses, you can fill them into different things like breadsticks, crackers, or charcuterie meats.
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Best surfaces for a goat cheese board
There are a variety of surfaces that can be used as a goat cheese board. A viral trend is to use a large board slathered with tangy goat cheese and various toppings. This can be a great appetizer for a party or get-together. A spoon or spatula can be used to spread the goat cheese on the board. Cutting boards, round, square, or rectangular, can also be used as a surface for a goat cheese board. If you only have small boards, you can use multiple boards placed close together or place the largest board you have in the middle and put the remaining items on the table.
Wooden boards are a popular choice for cheese boards. Virginia Boys Kitchens offers a collection of dark wood walnut cheese boards in various shapes and sizes. They recommend using fun cheese knives to help your guests serve themselves. Soignon, a French cheese producer, recommends using a traditional knife with a curved tip and a twin-forked end for goat cheese. They also suggest using a cheese harp, a less well-known tool that is especially popular with fans of goat cheese logs. A cheese harp is fitted with a cheese-cutting wire, allowing for clean, thin, and precise cuts.
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Storing and preparing goat cheese
When storing goat cheese, it is important to remember that it needs humidity and some room to breathe. Plastic wrap should be avoided as it can cause the cheese to dry out and invite unwanted mould. Instead, opt for a specially designed cheese wrap or a lidded plastic or glass container. If you have purchased a whole wheel of cheese, you can ripen it for a week in a Grotto to make it more unctuous. Once opened, goat cheese should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a week.
When preparing goat cheese for a cheese tray or charcuterie board, it is important to cut the cheese correctly to preserve the aromas and extend the shelf life of the cheese. Depending on their size, cut small goat cheeses into equal parts from the centre to the edge. Round cheeses should be cut like a cake, working from the centre outward to the rind and serving same-sized triangular wedges. Long cheeses should be cut into round slices, and pyramids should be cut into thin triangular portions from the centre down through the height of the cheese. Always use a clean knife to avoid mixing flavours and remember to take the cheese out of the fridge about an hour before serving to bring out its fullest flavour.
Goat cheese can also be grated or shaved, although most goat cheeses do not grate well. However, the hardest-aged goat cheeses can be grated, especially if you place them in the freezer beforehand. Grated goat cheese can be added as a finishing touch to salads, bruschetta, or pasta, or any dish that could use some intense flavour and lusciousness.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are using a small goat cheese log, you can serve it as is. If you want to cut it, use a sharp knife or a cheese wire to cut thin, even slices. For round cheeses, cut equal-sized wedges from the center outward. For long cheeses, cut round slices.
A cheese tray should assemble a range of textures and tastes, including cured meat, crackers, nuts, and fruits. You can add some edible decor like red grapes, pomegranate seeds, or cranberries.
To store leftover goat cheese, avoid using wax paper or plastic wrap. Instead, use a specially designed cheese wrap, like Formaticum Cheese Storage Bags, which are porous and allow the cheese to breathe without drying out. You can also tightly wrap the cheese in cheese paper and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
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