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 smooth, creamy cheese from the Savoie region of France. Known for its distinct concave wheel shape, it is produced from raw cow's milk and aged in mountain caves for a minimum of five months. Beaufort has a strong, sweet taste and is often used in fondue due to its excellent melting properties.

What Is Chevrotin Cheese?

Chevrotin is an artisanal goat's milk cheese from the Alpine regions of France. It is similar to Reblochon but made exclusively from goat's milk. Chevrotin has a washed rind and a supple, creamy texture with a slightly nutty and earthy flavor, often developing a stronger taste with maturation.

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)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Beaufort Cheese Taste Like Chevrotin Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. 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.

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.

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?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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.