Patrick Oconnell
Goat cheese, also known as Chèvre, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes or enjoyed on its own. It is one of the most popular types of cheese, with over 120 varieties ranging from fresh and creamy to hard and aged. You can find goat cheese at specialty cheese shops like Marky's, which offers a rich collection of goat cheeses with overnight delivery options, or at retailers like Walmart. For those who are feeling adventurous, you can even try making your own goat cheese at home using recipes found online!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goat Cheese Sources | Online Stores, Supermarkets, Cheese Shops |
| Goat Cheese Types | Fresh, Hard, Aged, Soft, Surface-ripened, Creamy, Crumbly, Tangy, Funky, Melty, Nutty, Mild, Bold, Young, Mature |
| Goat Cheese Flavors | Natural, Herb, Truffle, Tomato, Garlic, Cranberry, Orange Peel, Honey |
| Goat Cheese Recipes | Salads, Burgers, Pies, Desserts, Pizza, Sausage, Spreads |
| Goat Cheese Season | Spring |
| Goat Cheese Buying Tips | Avoid Mushy Texture, No Plastic Wrap, No Excess Liquid/Leakage, No Off-colors, No Rind Separation |
| Goat Cheese Making Ingredients | Full-fat Goat Milk, Lemon Juice, White Vinegar, Salt, Herbs |
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What You'll Learn
Online retailers
There are several online retailers that sell goat cheese, also known as chèvre, which means "goat" in French. This type of cheese is made from goat's milk and comes in various flavors and textures, such as creamy or crumbly, mild or tangy, and young or mature. It is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed on its own or used in recipes. Here are some online retailers to consider:
Marky's
Marky's offers a diverse selection of goat cheeses from around the world, allowing customers to explore different flavors and textures. They are known for their commitment to quality, ensuring that each cheese has been carefully curated and meets the highest standards. Marky's sources its goat cheese from high-quality goat milk, and the production process enhances its distinct taste. They offer convenient delivery options, making it easy for customers to enjoy premium goat cheese delivered right to their doorsteps.
FireFly Farms
FireFly Farms is another online retailer that specializes in fresh goat cheese. Their cheese is made from locally sourced milk and is processed within 24 hours, ensuring freshness. FireFly Farms' goat cheese has a clean, mild flavor with a bright, citrusy note. It is also very gently salted, with a lower salt content than comparable cheeses. FireFly Farms offers unique varieties such as Black & Blue, Cabra La Mancha, and Merry Goat Round.
CheeseGeek
CheeseGeek offers a seasonal selection of goat's cheese, ensuring that customers receive their products when they are at their best. They offer a range of options, from soft goat's cheese to traditional logs.
Haggen
Haggen is another online retailer that offers goat cheese for purchase. They provide a convenient shopping experience, allowing customers to create an account and order their desired products for pickup or delivery.
Walmart
Walmart also offers a selection of goat cheese that can be purchased online. They provide a range of options to meet different customer preferences.
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Local supermarkets
Goat cheese is widely available in local supermarkets, and you can find a variety of options to suit different tastes and preferences. The cheese section of your local supermarket is a great place to start your search for goat cheese. Look for well-known brands and varieties, such as chevre goat cheese, which is a popular option offered by many supermarkets. You can also explore different textures, from soft and creamy to semi-soft and crumbly, depending on your intended use.
Supermarkets often carry goat cheese slices, which are convenient for sandwiches and snacks. These slices offer a creamy and tangy experience, with a distinct goat cheese finish. You can also find crumbled goat cheese, perfect for adding flair to your salads or as a topping for appetizers. Some supermarkets offer unique varieties, such as goat cheese bathed in red wine, providing a fruity twist to the classic cheese.
When shopping for goat cheese, consider your local supermarket's specialty or gourmet cheese section. Here, you may find a wider selection, including goat cheese with edible flowers or unique flavour profiles. If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, consider purchasing store-brand goat cheese, which can offer similar quality at a lower price point.
Additionally, keep an eye out for sales and promotions, as goat cheese can sometimes be found at discounted prices. Shopping at different supermarkets can also increase your chances of finding a wider variety of goat cheese options. Some popular supermarkets that carry goat cheese include Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Aldi, and Walmart, each offering their own unique selections.
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Artisan cheesemakers
Vermont is home to dozens of artisan cheesemakers, each creating a wide variety of cheeses. Willow Smart, a certified organic cheesemaker, handcrafts her cheeses from sheep's milk, and they are matured in an underground cave. Her Alderbrook, Autumn Oak, and Vermont Brebis cheeses are some of the best you'll find anywhere. Laini Fondiller is also based in Vermont and is known as the "guru of goat cheese".
In California, Tom and Becky Loftus craft French-style soft cheeses like brie and camembert. Their Vermont Camembert is amazing, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a better example outside of France. Their other varieties include Vermont Brie, Green Mountain Gruyere, and Cookeville Grana.
In Hiram, Ohio, Mackenzie Creamery produces all-natural, handcrafted, artisan goat cheese from hormone-free goat milk sourced from local farms. They've won numerous awards for their cheese, including the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest.
Cheesemakers, Inc. produces Lone Star Artisan Goat Cheese, which is made from all-natural ingredients and produced in small batches with no preservatives, stabilizers, or artificial ingredients. It's an excellent substitute for cream cheese and contains half the fat, calories, cholesterol, sugar, and salt of other cheeses. You can find their products in gourmet grocery stores, authentic restaurants, and fine hotels.
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Recipes for homemade goat cheese
Goat cheese is the first known cheese, discovered by accident. Goat's milk does not need rennet to coagulate, and the discovery of the milk's new form and change of taste intrigued our ancestors, who became pioneer cheesemakers. Today, there are more than 120 sorts of goat cheese, from fresh goat cheese to hard cheeses.
Ingredients
- Goat milk
- Citric acid and water, or lemon juice and vinegar
- Cheese salt (kosher salt)
- Flavorings (optional): Herbs, honey, garlic, jam, nuts, etc.
Equipment
- A 3-6 quart pot made from a non-reactive metal (not copper or aluminum)
- Thermometer
- Cheesecloth
- Colander
- Bucket
- Large bowl
- Sieve
Method
- Slowly heat the goat milk in a large pot until it reaches 185°F/85ºC. Stir frequently to ensure even heat throughout.
- Add citric acid to water and stir until fully dissolved. Alternatively, use lemon juice and vinegar.
- Pour the dissolved citric acid into the milk and stir gently.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
- Place a cheesecloth in a sieve or colander over a bowl.
- Pour the milk into the cheesecloth and allow it to drain for about an hour.
- Add any desired flavorings to the goat cheese or roll the goat cheese in them to create a goat cheese log.
Storage
Store homemade goat cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. To prevent the cheese from drying out, press a sheet of plastic wrap against its surface. You can also freeze goat cheese for up to 6 months.
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Goat cheese varieties
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is known for its white, crumbly texture and tangy, lemony flavour. It is the most well-known variety of goat's cheese, but there are many more to explore.
Goat's milk is used to make a myriad of cheese types and varieties, from soft and creamy to hard and nutty. The longer goat's cheese is aged, the more mellow it tends to be. Fresh goat's cheese should be moist and creamy, with a tangy, milky, and balanced flavour. Aged goat's cheeses have a more subtle flavour, with notes of nut skins and cooked milk.
Some popular varieties of goat's cheese include Cheddar, which is sharp and fruity with a distinctive goaty tang, and Goat Gouda, which is exclusively produced in Holland and has sweet, caramel overtones. Tomme goat cheese is a variety made only in France, but U.S. cheesemakers are creating tomme-style goat cheese. Drunken Goat is a semi-firm variety that some call a great "gateway" cheese. Añejo cheese is a firm, aged Mexican cheese traditionally made from goat's milk, but now more commonly made with skimmed cow's milk. Balarina is another widely available variety.
Goat's cheese can also be found in logs, such as Chavrie’s goat cheese logs, which have a similar texture but use unique combinations of ingredients, like sundried tomatoes and garlic, or cranberry and orange peel.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy goat cheese from specialty cheese shops like Marky's, Walmart, and Cheese Lover Shop. You can also make it at home.
Some popular brands of goat cheese include Capriole, Chavrie, and Schad.
When buying goat cheese, it's important to consider its texture and packaging. Fresh goat cheese should feel firm, not mushy. Avoid vacuum-sealed cheese with excess liquid, leakage, or off-colors.
