Boursin Cheese vs Chevrotin Cheese

Boursin Cheese is a soft, creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Boursin Cheese?

Boursin is a French brand of soft, fresh Gournay-style cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk and cream with herbs mixed in. It spreads easily, crumbles a little, and is best known for its original garlic and fine herbs flavour.

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 Boursin Cheese and Chevrotin Cheese?

• Milk type: Boursin Cheese (Cow's milk), Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Boursin Cheese (Pasteurized), Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized)
• Texture: Boursin Cheese (Soft, creamy), Chevrotin Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Boursin Cheese (None), Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind)
• Aging: Boursin Cheese (Fresh (not aged)), Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days)
• Taste: Boursin Cheese (Garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive), Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Boursin Cheese Taste Like Chevrotin Cheese?

Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine character. On the nose, Boursin Cheese offers mild, contrasted with Chevrotin Cheese's gentle caprine, woody, farmyard. More specifically, Boursin Cheese shows fresh, with added flavors like garlic, herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, 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. Boursin Cheese at fresh (not aged) develops a different profile than Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days.

Can You Substitute Boursin Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

Boursin Cheese can stand in for Chevrotin Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine notes.

Which Is Better, Boursin Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Boursin Cheese. For a soft profile, Chevrotin Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boursin Cheese suits recipes that want garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive notes, while Chevrotin Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, caprine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boursin Cheese the same as Chevrotin Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk; Chevrotin Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Boursin Cheese is typically aged fresh (not aged), Chevrotin Cheese 21+ days.

Is Boursin Cheese similar to Chevrotin Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Boursin Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

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

Does Boursin Cheese taste like Chevrotin Cheese?

Boursin Cheese reads as garlic and herbs, pepper, or shallots and chive, while Chevrotin Cheese is mild, caprine. Aromas also diverge. Boursin Cheese leans mild, and Chevrotin Cheese is closer to gentle caprine, woody, farmyard.

What is Boursin Cheese made of?

Boursin Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (not aged). 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, Boursin Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boursin Cheese is soft, creamy, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft.