Beaufort Cheese vs Chevrotin Cheese

Beaufort Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Beaufort Cheese?

Beaufort is a firm raw cow's milk cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps, part of the gruyère family. Its wheels take a concave shape from the beechwood hoop, and the cheese melts easily enough to be a standard choice for fondue.

What Is Chevrotin Cheese?

Chevrotin is a soft goat milk cheese from Savoy in France, made with unpasteurised milk and ripened at least three weeks on pine shelves. It holds an AOC and is known for a full flavor with a sourness that recalls wild mountain herbs.

What's the Difference Between Beaufort Cheese and Chevrotin Cheese?

• Milk type: Beaufort Cheese (cow's milk), Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk)
• Milk treatment: Beaufort Cheese (Raw), Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized)
• Texture: Beaufort Cheese (Hard), Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous)
• Rind: Beaufort Cheese (Even yellow color), Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind)
• Aging: Beaufort Cheese (5 to 12+ months), Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days)
• Taste: Beaufort Cheese (strong), Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Chevrotin Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine character. On the nose, Beaufort Cheese offers fruity, nutty, contrasted with Chevrotin Cheese's gentle caprine, woody, farmyard. More specifically, Beaufort Cheese shows ivory or slightly yellow color, occasional small eyes and thin slits, while Chevrotin Cheese leans toward gentle goatiness, balance of salt, vegetal notes, alpine flowers, pinkish exterior, fine white mold, ivory paste. Aging plays into this as well. Beaufort Cheese at 5 to 12+ months develops a different profile than Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days.

Can You Substitute Beaufort Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese can stand in for Chevrotin Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, unctuous. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese reads as strong while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine notes.

Which Is Better, Beaufort Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Beaufort Cheese. For a soft, unctuous profile, Chevrotin Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Beaufort Cheese suits recipes that want strong notes, while Chevrotin Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, caprine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beaufort Cheese the same as Chevrotin Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk; Chevrotin Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Beaufort Cheese is typically aged 5 to 12+ months, Chevrotin Cheese 21+ days.

Is Beaufort Cheese similar to Chevrotin Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Beaufort Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Beaufort Cheese taste like Chevrotin Cheese?

Beaufort Cheese reads as strong, while Chevrotin Cheese is mild, caprine. Aromas also diverge. Beaufort Cheese leans fruity, nutty, and Chevrotin Cheese is closer to gentle caprine, woody, farmyard.

What is Beaufort Cheese made of?

Beaufort Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using dried calves’ abomasum in recuite rennet. It's typically aged 5 to 12+ months. It originates in France.

What is Chevrotin Cheese made of?

Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged 21+ days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Beaufort Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Beaufort Cheese is hard, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous.