Andy Montoya
Goat's cheese, also known as chèvre, is a popular ingredient in many dishes, including salads, pizzas, and sandwiches. It is made from goat's milk and has a distinctive tangy flavour and creamy soft texture. Fresh goat cheese is often pure white and can come in various shapes and sizes, such as logs, rounds, or crumbles. Aged goat cheese may develop a rind and take on a yellowish hue, with some varieties coated in an edible gray ash, adding a speckled appearance. In this article, we will explore the different types of goat cheese, their appearance, and their common uses in various dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Tangy, nutty, slightly sweet, earthy |
| Texture | Crumbly, creamy, soft, spreadable |
| Colour | White, yellowish |
| Shape | Logs, rounds, crumbles, pyramids, bells, cylinders, wheels |
| Type | Soft, Hard |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Fresh goat cheese is pure white
Fresh goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is white in colour. It is known for its moist and creamy texture, which should be free of graininess. Its flavour is clean and fresh, with a tangy, lemony, and milky taste.
Goat cheese is often associated with a crumbly texture, and its intensity and tanginess are particularly prominent when it is young. As it ages, the cheese becomes firmer without hardening, and its flavour profile evolves to include creamy notes of hazelnut and dried herbs.
The appearance and texture of goat cheese can vary depending on its age and production method. Fresh goat cheese, for example, never develops a rind, while aged variants may have natural or waxed rinds. Some goat cheeses, such as Bonne Bouche, are known for their foggy grey colour due to the use of ash in their production.
The colour of goat cheese can also depend on the specific type and region of origin. For instance, Le Chevrot, a mould/yeast-ripened goat cheese from the Netherlands, has a snow-white centre with a wrinkly, brain-like rind. In contrast, French Loire Valley cheeses are often unaged, sprinkled with ash, and essentially fresh goat cheese underneath.
When it comes to serving goat cheese, it is worth noting that the shape and cutting technique can impact the flavour experience. Additionally, goat cheese pairs well with various drinks, including white wine, beer, and cocktails, each enhancing the cheese's flavour in unique ways.
What Gruyere and Parmesan Cheeses Have in Common
You may want to see also
Aged goat cheese may develop a rind
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a tangy, creamy cheese with a distinct flavour and a soft, crumbly texture. It is typically aged for a shorter period than other cheeses, which contributes to its fresh taste. While fresh goat cheese is rindless, aged goat cheese may develop a rind through the growth of mould and yeast.
The rind of goat cheese is formed through the growth of mould and yeast, which can occur naturally or be encouraged by cheesemakers. The traditional French method involves leaving fresh cheese to ripen at 10°C, resulting in a diverse range of microflora on the rind, including cream and white moulds, as well as blue, green, and grey moulds. These moulds not only add flavour and complexity but are also safe to consume.
To control the growth of mould and yeast on the rind, cheesemakers often introduce specific types of mould and yeast. Geotrichum, a yeast, gives the rind a cream colour and a wrinkled appearance. On the other hand, Penicillium candidum, a mould, produces a fluffy, velvety white exterior similar to that of Brie or Camembert. This mould can overwhelm the delicate natural flavours of goat cheese and may lead to a bitter taste underneath the rind. Therefore, some cheesemakers opt for a natural rind or one formed primarily with geotrichum yeast.
Goat cheese can also be transformed into a "stinky cheese" through the process of washing the rind with a salt solution or alcoholic beverages during ageing. This technique, originating in medieval times, imparts a pungent flavour and contributes to a smooth, gooey interior. The washing process results in a colourful rind and a distinct flavour profile that adventurous cheese enthusiasts savour.
Cheese Scone Flavor: Salty, Savory, or Sweet?
You may want to see also
Goat cheese comes in many shapes
Goat cheese, or Chèvre, comes in a variety of shapes, textures, and flavors. It can be white, coated in ash or herbs, or wrapped in grape leaves. The texture can range from crumbly to creamy, with young goat cheese providing earthy and tangy flavors, while aged variants tend to be firmer and display natural or waxed rinds.
One example of a uniquely shaped goat cheese is Ticklemore, which is formed in plastic molds, resulting in two halves that meet in a thick seam, creating a distinctive saucer shape. The cheese has a knobbly white rind with a floral, herbaceous aroma and a moist, sweet, and fruity flavor.
Another goat cheese with a distinct shape is Le Chevrot, which resembles a small drum covered in a wrinkly, brain-like rind. Its flavor is sweet and mellow, with nutty undertones and a tangy center.
Humboldt Fog is a tall, cakey-shaped goat cheese dusted with vegetable ash and inoculated with P. candidum to create an edible white skin. Its flavor is described as piquant and mouthwatering, with hints of fermented fruit and citrus.
Goat cheese can also be found in more standard shapes, such as drums or logs, like the Spanish Majorero, which is similar to Manchego and protected under European Law with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status.
Tasty Cheeses Similar to Amul: A Flavor Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It has a tangy and earthy flavour
Goat cheese, or Chèvre, comes in many different flavours and textures. Its flavour can be described as tangy and earthy, with a soft, almost spreadable texture. The younger the cheese, the more intense its flavour, providing earthy and tangy nuances that sharply sweep the palate.
Goat cheese can be moist and creamy, without a hint of graininess. Its flavour should be clean and fresh, mouth-wateringly tangy but not astringent, with a balance of lemon and milk. The longer the cheese is aged, the more approachable it tends to be. Some goat cheeses are buttery and mellow, with hints of lemon. Firm, aged, and rinded varieties offer flavours of nut skins and cooked milk—much more subtle than younger styles, which are more piquant and goaty.
French Loire Valley cheeses are often unaged, sprinkled with ash, with a developed rind. The cheese can age for up to eight weeks, developing piquant black walnutty flavours, but it's mostly drippily spreadable with a bare background of lemony tang. Catalonia's Garrotxa, for example, is known for its striking grey rind and earthy taste, reflecting the unique terroir of the Pyrenees region.
Goat cheese made in the style of French Brie, or Goat Brie, tends to be made in the Rhône-Alpes and Poitou-Charentes regions. It is even milder than its cow milk counterpart, with a remarkably thin rind, a creamy paste inside, and a sweet and delicate flavour with only the slightest undercurrent of citrus tang.
Unraveling Cheese's Complex Taste: A Sensory Adventure
You may want to see also
Goat cheese is great for crumbling
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is a type of cheese made from goat's milk. It is known for its tangy and earthy flavour, as well as its soft, crumbly texture. This makes it perfect for crumbling over various dishes to add a burst of flavour. While it can be challenging to crumble like blue cheese, using a sharp knife or your fingers, you can break it into crumble-like pieces.
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that pairs well with many foods. One of its most popular uses is as a topping for salads. Its tangy flavour complements the freshness of salad greens and vegetables. It can also be warmed and served in a classic French salad, Salade au Chèvre Chaud.
In addition to salads, goat cheese is delicious when crumbled over pizza. It adds a creamy texture and a tangy twist to the traditional dish. For a more sophisticated appetiser, try pairing it with puff pastry and figs to create elegant canapes.
The versatility of goat cheese extends beyond salads and pizzas. It is also a tasty addition to roasted vegetables, providing a tangy contrast to their natural sweetness. For a unique flavour combination, pair goat cheese with fresh fruit, such as watermelon or grilled peaches during the summer months.
When it comes to storage, it's important to keep goat cheese in an airtight container in the coldest part of the fridge to maintain its creamy texture. By following these simple storage tips, you can ensure that your goat cheese remains fresh and ready to be crumbled into your favourite dishes.
Mice's Favorite Cheeses: A Tasty Exploration
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
40g of goat's cheese is a little over 1 ounce, which is a standard serving size for cheese. It could be a few slices, a small handful of crumbles, or a few cubes.
Goat's cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. It is often crumbled over pizza, salads, or roasted vegetables. It can also be whipped with cream and used as a spread for crackers. Goat's cheese melts well and can be used in sandwiches or on bruschetta.
Goat's cheese has a distinctive tangy and earthy flavour. Younger goat's cheeses tend to be milder and slightly creamier, while aged varieties can be more intense with complex, nutty, and slightly sweet undertones.
