Randy Chandler
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is known for its tangy, creamy, and slightly citrusy flavor. While some goat cheeses have a barnyard-like aroma and a gamey flavor, there are many types of goat cheese with more subtle flavor profiles. For example, goat brie is known to be milder than its cow milk counterpart, with a sweet and delicate flavor and a creamy texture. Drunken Goat, a semi-firm Spanish cheese soaked in red wine, is another mild goat cheese with a fruity flavor and a violet rind. Goat cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to baking and cooking, making it a versatile ingredient for any meal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Italy, France, Canada, Spain, Netherlands, and the US |
| Pasteurization | Yes |
| Aroma | Bread dough, wet hay, or little to none |
| Flavor | Sweet cream, lemon, yeast, stone fruit, chalky finish, or slightly citrusy |
| Texture | Floppy, smooth, slippery, sticky, runny, creamy, or crumbly |
| Character | Easy, gentle, or mild |
| Recommended | Nababbo, Drunken Goat, Vermont Creamery, Creamy Gouda, Old Dutch Cheese, 3-Year Aged Vintage Gouda, Trader Joe's Chevre, and Dutch Cheeseman UK's Mild Goat's Cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Goat cheese has a tangier and fresher taste than cow's milk cheese
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is known for its tangy and fresh taste compared to cow's milk cheese. This tanginess comes from the capric acid in goat's milk, and can be described as bright, clean, and creamy, with hints of lemon and citrus. Younger goat cheeses tend to be more citrusy, while aged goat cheeses develop more complex, earthy, and musky flavours. The texture of fresh goat cheese is similar to that of cream cheese, but with a softer and less viscous mouthfeel due to the smaller fat molecules in goat's milk.
Goat cheese has a reputation for being an acquired taste, with some people finding it too intense or "goaty". However, there are many mild and approachable varieties of goat cheese available, such as Drunken Goat from Spain, which is soaked in wine and has a mild, smooth, and fruity flavour. Goat brie is another mild option, known for its sweet and delicate flavour with a subtle citrus tang.
The diet of goats also contributes to the unique flavour of their milk and cheese. Goats have strong stomachs and enjoy eating plants that cows avoid, like brambles and thorny grasses. These acrid flavours are imparted to their milk, resulting in the distinctive tang of goat cheese. Additionally, the hormone levels of female goats can be influenced by the proximity of male bucks, which can give the milk a barnyard taste.
The production process and style of cheese also play a role in the final flavour. Goat's milk cheeses are generally made with either a limestone-y and citrusy profile or a muskier, barnyard-y character. The breakdown of protein and fat during cheese production further contributes to the taste difference between goat and cow's milk cheeses. While the fat content in goat and cow's milk is similar, the structure of the fat molecules differs, resulting in a lighter and less sweet taste in goat cheese.
Goat cheese is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and pizzas to creamy pastas and cheesecakes. Its unique flavour and texture make it a popular choice for cheese enthusiasts looking for something different from the usual cow's milk cheese options.
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Flavoured goat cheese
Goat cheese is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to desserts. It has a naturally tangier and fresher taste than cow's milk cheese, with a bright, clean, and creamy mouthfeel. Flavoured goat cheese offers a wide range of options for those looking to explore beyond the plain variety.
Herbed Goat Cheese
Herbed goat cheese is a popular choice, with options like the Laura Chenel flavoured with thyme and rosemary, or the Emporium Selection flavoured with garlic and herb. These cheeses are perfect for those who want to add a savoury, herbaceous twist to their dishes.
Sweet Goat Cheese
For those with a sweet tooth, there are goat cheese options like the Emporium Selection's Cranberry Cinnamon and Blueberry Vanilla flavours. These cheeses offer a unique combination of sweetness and creaminess that can elevate a simple dish into something extraordinary.
Truffle Goat Cheese
Truffle goat cheese is another indulgent option, with its strong, luxurious flavour. Sold in a little bucket marinating in oil, this cheese is perfect for those who want to add a touch of luxury to their cheese boards or charcuterie plates.
Fruity Goat Cheese
Goat cheese with fruity notes is also available, such as the Drunken Goat cheese from Spain, which is bathed in red wine, giving it a bright and fruity flavour. This cheese is perfect for easy snacking, as it offers a contrast between the fruitiness and the cheese's earthy umami notes.
Floral Goat Cheese
For a more elegant and unique option, there is goat cheese flavoured with lavender and fennel pollen. This cheese strikes a perfect balance between the savoury flavour of goat cheese and a touch of florality, making it a sophisticated choice for tiny toasts and sparkling cocktails.
With so many flavoured goat cheese options available, there is something for every taste and occasion, whether you're looking for a savoury herb, sweet fruit, or elegant floral note to elevate your culinary creations.
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Goat cheese is versatile and can be used in baking, cooking and desserts
Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. Its flavour is not too overpowering, making it a perfect addition to many recipes.
Goat cheese can be used in baking, such as in muffins, scones, and cakes. For example, zucchini goat cheese muffins are a healthy and tasty breakfast option. The goat cheese adds richness and flavour to the muffins, and is packed with vitamins and minerals. Another option is to make blueberry goat cheese scones, which combine the sweet blueberries with creamy goat cheese crumbles.
Goat cheese is also a great ingredient to use in cooking, especially in pasta, pizza, and gnocchi dishes. For instance, goat cheese can be combined with mushrooms and cream to make a rich sauce for gnocchi. It can also be used as a topping for pizza, adding a salty, tangy flavour. In addition, goat cheese can be baked and served as an appetizer or dip, paired with marinara sauce and bread.
Furthermore, goat cheese can even be used in desserts. A unique and tasty option is to make a goat cheese mousse with roasted blueberries. This dessert combines the creamy mousse with the fruity blueberries, creating a delicious and interesting texture and flavour combination.
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Goat brie is a buttery, rich cheese made with goat milk
Goat's milk cheeses tend to have a tangier, fresher, and more mineral-y taste than cow's milk cheeses. They can also be described as grassy or spicy. The tanginess comes from the capric acid in goat's milk, which also gives the cheese its bright white colour. The acid promotes the development of good intestinal bacteria in humans and is sold as a health food product.
Goat brie is a milder version of traditional cow's milk brie, which is more earthy and creamy, with notes of asparagus or broccoli. Goat brie is also whiter in colour due to the way a goat's liver functions, filtering out more beta carotene.
Goat cheese is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, from baking and cooking to desserts and salads. It can be paired with sweet accompaniments like honey, fig jam, or sliced pear, as well as savoury items like walnuts.
One example of a mild goat cheese is Drunken Goat, a semi-firm variety made in Spain. It is soaked in wine, giving it a fruity flavour, and has a violet rind.
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Goat cheese and feta have the same tangy taste and crumbly texture
Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is known for its versatility and can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to baking and cooking. It has a bright white interior and a range of flavours, from tart citrus to freshly baked bread. While goat cheese can have a tangy taste, it is generally milder and less tangy than feta. It also has a slightly sweet taste that some say is reminiscent of honey. In terms of texture, goat cheese is creamy and smooth.
Feta cheese, on the other hand, is known for its salty and tangy flavour, often described as "'goaty." It can range from mild to sharp, depending on its age. Texturally, feta is crumbly and dry, with small, uneven holes throughout. It is firm yet moist and melts in your mouth quickly. Feta is traditionally made using sheep's milk but can also be made using a combination of sheep, goat, and cow milk.
While goat cheese and feta do share some similarities in taste and texture, there are also some distinct differences. Feta tends to be saltier and tangier than goat cheese, with a firmer texture. Goat cheese, on the other hand, is milder and smoother, with a slightly sweet taste. These differences are likely due to the different types of milk used and the production processes for each cheese.
When it comes to incorporating these cheeses into your dishes, both are versatile options. Goat cheese pairs well with salads, dressings, dips, and fruity cheese boards. It can also be used in baking, cooking, or even desserts. Feta is commonly used in salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizzas, and savory pies. It can be crumbled over vegetables or baked into bread.
Overall, while goat cheese and feta may have some similarities in their tangy taste and crumbly texture, they also have distinct differences in flavour and texture that set them apart.
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Frequently asked questions
Goat cheese, also known as chèvre, is a white, crumbly cheese with a tangy, creamy, and slightly citrusy flavor. It is made from goat's milk and has a bright white interior.
There are several mild goat cheeses available, including an award-winning Mild Goat's Cheese from Dutch Cheeseman UK, Drunken Goat, a semi-firm variety made in Spain, and goat brie, which is even milder than its cow milk counterpart.
Goat cheese has a naturally tangier and fresher taste than cow's milk cheese. It can have barnyard-y aromas and game-y flavors, but there are also many types of goat cheese with more subtle, buttery, and mellow flavors.
Goat cheese can take many forms, including fresh and crumbly, wrinkly rounds, creamy blues, and firm wedges. It can be aged or unaged, with older cheeses tending to be more approachable and buttery, with hints of lemon.
Goat cheese is incredibly versatile and can be used in baking, cooking, or even desserts. It can be spread on toast or crackers, crumbled on top of a salad, fried and added to a salad for a crispy coating, or used as a topping for pizza or pasta.
