The first cheese that comes to most people’s minds is cow’s milk cheese. This is no surprise since this type of cheese is the most produced one. But, this is not the only type of cheese because sheep milk and goat milk cheese also exist.
In today’s article, I am going to speak about goat milk cheese which is becoming more and more popular nowadays. The most important reason for this is perhaps the fact that goat cheese is more suitable for people that are lactose intolerant.
But, there are also people who prefer this cheese because of its flavor profile, i.e. they find it tastier than cow milk cheese.
So, what does goat cheese taste like? In this introduction, I am just going to say that the goat cheese flavor profile is a combination of mild, earthy, tart, and buttery flavors.
All you have to do is to continue reading to find out more details.
What Does Goat Cheese Taste Like?
Generally speaking, goat cheese has a mild, earthy, tart, and buttery flavor. It is somewhat similar to the flavor of cottage cheese, especially when it comes to mildness.
However, the exact flavor profile mainly depends on the type of goat cheese and some other minor factors. Speaking about fresh goat cheese, it is a soft one with a higher moisture content and a fresh, milky flavor.
Aged goat cheese is a harder cheese that has a more distinct flavor that is more tart and tangy. It has a somewhat goaty flavor that is reminiscent of a barnyard.
First, What Is Goat Cheese?
Alongside cow’s milk cheese, it is one of the most popular in the world of cheesemaking.
It is also known as “Chevre” by many people, but actually, Chevre is just one type of goat cheese, i.e. the most popular type.
Generally speaking, goat cheese is a soft type of cheese because it contains a low amount of casein. Casein is a milk protein that is combined with acid which results in the curdling and firm texture of the cheese.
When it comes to the fat content, goat cheese is rich in medium-chain fatty acids, i.e. in caprylic, caproic, and capric acid which give it that characteristic goaty aroma.
Fresh goat milk cheese is white in color. When goat cheese ages, it takes on a slightly yellow color.
And finally, speaking about lactose content, it is almost the same as in cows milk cheese, but the molecules are much smaller and that makes it more suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.
What Does The Cheesemaking Process Look Like?
In order to understand how goat cheese tastes, it is essential to know how exactly it is made.
When the cheesemaker chooses the type of milk, he warms it to 65 degrees F and starts the fermenting process by adding a starter culture.
By adding rennet after that, he begins the coagulation process of the milk proteins which results in the forming of curds. This process takes about 1-2 days.
After that time frame, curds are scooped into the molds which are important for the formation of shape. The next step is draining the cheese for about 24 hours. After draining, the cheese is sprinkled with salt which helps form the rind and controls the growth of microorganisms.
For the flavor profile of the cheese, the most important is the following. Fresh types of goat cheeses are consumed immediately after draining. Fresh goat cheeses are the best goat cheeses because they are soft, moist, and milky.
On the other hand, aged goat’s cheeses are left for further ripening anywhere between one week and one year. The longer it ripens, the harder and drier it will become.
What Is The Taste Of Goat Cheese?
Generally speaking, goat cheese’s flavor profile is a combo of tangy and earthy flavors. Depending on the type, the taste can vary from tart to soft. I will start with the presentation of fresh goat cheese.
Fresh Goat Cheese
I will start with fresh goat cheese.
When we speak about the goat cheese flavor profile, tangy flavor, tartness, and sometimes an earthy flavor is what first comes to our minds.
It is the prevailing opinion that goat cheese tastes the same as how goats smell, i.e. that goat cheese has that specific goaty flavor. For many people, this kind of taste is not very pleasant.
Fresh goat cheese could be a solution. The fresh version of goat cheese does not contain that specific goaty flavor and its flavor profile is more similar to the flavor profile of cow milk cheese, although it is a bit fresher and lighter.
All in all, young goat cheese is considered to be soft, with a high moisture content and a fresh, milky flavor.
So, if you don’t like that distinctive barnyard flavor, as well as the hard texture, fresh goat cheese might be your best bet.
Aged Goat Cheese
I have mentioned a few things about aged goat cheese above, but here I will explain in more detail what happens to the flavor of goat cheese when it ages and how that differentiates it from fresh goat cheese.
Goat cheeses are mostly ripened anywhere from one week to one year. The longer they ripen, the harder and drier they are. Also, aged goat cheese is popular for its tartness and tanginess and that distinctive flavor profile some people describe as slightly gamey.
As I already said, aged goat cheese tends to have a different flavor profile than that young goat cheese since it is somewhat goatier. It means that it tastes the same as the way a goat smells and you all know that it is not a very pleasant aroma for most people.
However, there are people who desire this kind of flavor profile and find that goaty flavor desirable.
Here, I will also mention another factor that has a huge impact on the flavor of goat milk cheese, i.e. on the strength of the flavor. It is the level of hormones of the female goat.
All in all, aged goat cheese has a more distinct flavor. It is a tangy and tart flavor with a hint of earthiness. It is a somewhat goaty flavor with a more intense aroma. The texture is harder and more crumbly than that of fresh goat cheese.
That is the most important information about the aged goat cheese flavor profile.
What Are The Different Types Of Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese is a very versatile cheese and it comes in many types and has many different complex flavor profiles. The most popular styles of goat cheese include Chevre, White mold goats cheese, and Yagi, as well as very well-known styles like Gouda, cheddar, brie, and Blue Cheese.
• Chevre: Chevre is the most popular type of goat cheese. It is a French version of goat cheese that is made from goat’s milk and consumed as an unripe soft cheese. Its flavor profile contains a combination of sour, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors.
The flavor is mild and the texture is delicate which makes it suitable for dipping or snacking.
• White Mold Goats Cheese: This type of cheese is also known as Castello White with Goats Milk or Goat Brie. It is an old goat’s cheese whose flavor profile characterizes subtle hints of rich cream and rural mushroom.
It is known for its creamy texture.
• Blue Mold Cheese: This cheese made from goat’s milk is a type of goat’s cheese that has those characteristic hints of earthy mushrooms and a sharp and clean aroma from blue mold. The flavor is distinct and the texture is creamy.
What Is Goat Cheese Good With?
You can use it in many ways. Where you will use it mainly depends on your preferences and on its type. But here, I will provide you with some general ideas on pairing your goat cheese with other types of foods.
First, I will emphasize that goat cheese is very healthy since it is low in calories, fat, carbs, and cholesterol. It is also a great source of calcium which is the type of mineral that is very beneficial for your bones.
The most important thing is the fact that goat’s cheese is much more suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.
And, of course, if you like its rich flavor profile, you can use goat cheese in various recipes. If you like it simple, you can always spread it on your bread or crackers due to its almost spreadable texture and intense flavor.
You can also combine it with beets and pears to make a delicious seasonal salad. You can also make a goat cheese sauce alongside various herbs to season your grilled chicken.
And one of the most popular ways to use goat cheese is to make a delicious flatbread pizza with dried tomatoes, olives, and goat cheese. That way you can satisfy your pizza cravings with this healthy and delicious option.
Some other goat cheese recipes include goat cheese fritters, goat cheese pasta, marinated goat cheese, caramelized garlic tart with goat cheese, goat cheese macaroni, and many, many others.
Some of the best cheeses for turkey sandwiches are goat cheeses.
FAQs
Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Feta?
They do have very similar flavor profiles. They are both known for their tangy, salty, and bitter taste, but the main difference is that goat cheese is much saltier than feta cheese and it is more similar to cream cheese.
Goat cheese has a somewhat crumbly or chalky texture while feta cheese tends to be chunky.
However, goat cheese tends to be an excellent substitute for feta cheese and vice versa.
Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Mozzarella?
These types of cheeses have very similar flavor profiles and they are even interchangeable. Both have a soft and tangy flavor. However, goat cheese tends to be a little milder than mozzarella which is heavier and has a more deep and rich flavor.
But, when you don’t have any goat cheese for the recipe that requires it, you can always substitute it with mozzarella.
Is Goat Cheese Good For You?
It can be a great solution for you, especially if you are lactose intolerant.
Also, goat cheese is a great source of fat, protein, and calcium, as well as some other important nutrients like vitamins A and B2, and phosphorus. It also contains a so-called capric acid which is a medium-chain fatty acid that has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Goat cheese is also full of omega-3 fatty acids that are great for your brain and heart.
The Taste Of Goat Cheese
So, is goat cheese good for you? Goat cheese is great if you are lactose intolerant and if you don’t like hard cheeses, but rather soft ones. It is also great for your health since it is full of important nutrients.
What does goat cheese taste like? Generally speaking, goat cheese has a mild, earthy, tart, and buttery flavor. But, the exact flavor profile of goat cheese really depends on the type of goat cheese.
Fresh dairy goat cheese has a fresh, milky flavor and early consumption makes that type of goat cheese soft. It also has a high moisture content.
On the other hand, aged goat cheese has a more distinct tart and tangy flavor that is slightly gamey.
