Afuega'l Pitu Cheese vs Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is a different varieties based on form, shape, and aging cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese.
What Is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese?
Afuega'l pitu is an unpasteurized cow's milk cheese from Asturias in northern Spain, sold plain white or paprika red. Its name translates as "strangle the chicken," and it holds Protected Designation of Origin status from Spain and the EU.
What Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol, also known simply as Chavignol, is a cheese made from raw whole goat's milk. It originates from France and is protected under the designation of origin (PDO). The cheese is shaped like a flat cylinder and has a thin rind that can be ivory-colored with or without white or blue molds. The cheese is known for its lactic coagulation process with a small amount of rennet added. It has a fat content of at least 45% of the dry matter and a total dry matter content between 37g and 48g per cheese. The cheese is matured for at least 10 days, and a special version called "repassé" is matured in a confined atmosphere to develop a blue Penicillium mold.
What's the Difference Between Afuega'l Pitu Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
- Milk type: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (cow's milk), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (unpasteurized), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Raw)
- Rind: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (White soft and rough in briefly ripened cheeses; moist, yellowish brown with moldy blue or white areas in ripened cheeses), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds)
- Aging: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (Fresh to mid-ripened), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Minimum maturing period of 10 days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Afuega'l Pitu Cheese | Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | — |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Different varieties based on form, shape, and aging | — |
| Rind | White soft and rough in briefly ripened cheeses; moist, yellowish brown with moldy blue or white areas in ripened cheeses | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds |
| Aging | Fresh to mid-ripened | Minimum maturing period of 10 days |
| Taste | Lactic, slightly sour, salted in fresh or hardly ripened cheeses; strong and spicy as ripening progresses | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Afuega'l Pitu Cheese Taste Like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Afuega'l Pitu Cheese at fresh to mid-ripened develops a different profile than Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese at minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Can You Substitute Afuega'l Pitu Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Afuega'l Pitu Cheese can stand in for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese the same as Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is made from cow milk; Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is typically aged fresh to mid-ripened, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese similar to Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Afuega'l Pitu Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Afuega'l Pitu Cheese taste like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese made of?
Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using very small amounts of calf rennet. It's typically aged fresh to mid-ripened. It originates in Spain.
What is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese made of?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using small quantity added rennet. It's typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Which should I choose, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.