Cheddar Cheese vs Chevrotin Cheese

Q: Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Chevrotin Cheese?

No. Cheddar Cheese and Chevrotin Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Cheddar Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Cheddar Cheese

Chevrotin Cheese

Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

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 Cheddar Cheese and Chevrotin Cheese?

Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Chevrotin Cheese (France)
Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk)
Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized)
Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous)
Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind)
Aging: Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years), Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days)
Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Cheddar Cheese	Chevrotin Cheese
Country of Origin	England	France
Specific Origin	Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester)	Savoie And Haute-Savoie
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Goat's Milk
Milk Treatment	Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)	Soft, unctuous
Rind	Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)	Washed-rind
Aging	A few months to several years	21+ days
Taste	Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory	Mild, Caprine

Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Chevrotin Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, 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. Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years develops a different profile than Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days.

Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Chevrotin Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, unctuous. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine notes.

Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a soft, unctuous profile, Chevrotin Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Chevrotin Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, caprine.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Chevrotin Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Chevrotin Cheese comes from France. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Chevrotin Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Cheddar Cheese is typically aged a few months to several years, Chevrotin Cheese 21+ days.

Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Chevrotin Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Chevrotin Cheese?

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

Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Chevrotin Cheese?

Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Chevrotin Cheese is mild, caprine.

What is Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

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, Cheddar Cheese or Chevrotin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous.