Goat Cheese: A Soft, Mild Cheese and Tasty Treat

Ever wonder what the difference is in taste between cheeses made from cow’s milk and cheeses made from goat’s milk? Overall, goat’s milk and cow’s milk have a similar fat content but goat cheese, also known as chevre (French for goat), has a tarter flavor than cheese made from cow’s milk because of its high content of medium-chain fatty acids. France is very famous for the number of goat cheese varieties it produces, including Bucheron, Chavis, and Crottin de Chavignol, to name a few.
Other countries that produce goat cheese include Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, Norway, Greece, and China. Cheese made of goat’s milk is very creamy, crumbly, and elegant. It is the creamiest when it is fresh but it gets harder as it ripens. Feta is an example of hardened goat cheese. Cheese made of goat’s milk is also very nutritious. It is rich in protein, potassium, vitamin A, thiamin, and niacin. It is much lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol compared to cheddar and cream cheese. Furthermore, cheese made from goat’s milk is often easier to digest than cheese made from cow’s milk for many people.
How to Enjoy Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is sold in small logs or rounds. It can be sliced in medallions or crumbled to serve. You can roll the logs or rounds in freshly chopped herbs, almonds, or pecans. You can also sprinkle freshly cracked peppercorns on top of the cheese to complement its flavor. Goat cheese serves as a great accompaniment for roasted vegetables, pasta, and salads. You can serve it warm or cold. It also goes well with sweet desserts. Try serving it with sweet fruit tarts and pastries.
Goat cheese does tend to be pricy however so if you are on a budget and you have access to goat’s milk, you can try making goat cheese at home. Otherwise, you can find it sold at most supermarkets. It is best to buy goat’s milk at farmers markets. Most supermarkets do not carry goat’s milk and if they do, it is usually not very fresh. When you make goat cheese, make sure to eat it within two days. The best-tasting cheese made with goat’s milk is not aged at all.
Rather than using the same old cheeses for cooking, why not experiment with goat cheese for a change? It is a tangy, smooth, and creamy type of cheese that goes well with many different dishes. Try making mushroom lasagna or stuffed tomatoes with it. Scour Mediterranean cookbooks for interesting recipes that incorporate this flavorful, elegant cheese so you can wow your friends and family with exotic and delicious meals.