Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Chevrotin Cheese

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Chevrotin Cheese is soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.

What Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese)?

Chèvre is the French name for cheese made from goat's milk. The classic French style is soft and creamy under a light colored rind, tart from the fatty acids in goat milk, and is sometimes served hot as chèvre chaud.

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 Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Chevrotin Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized)
• Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind)
• Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days)
• Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Chevrotin Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Chevrotin Cheese's gentle caprine, woody, farmyard. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, 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. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days.

Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Chevrotin Cheese?

In most recipes, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Chevrotin Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are goat-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Chevrotin Cheese brings mild, caprine notes.

Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Chevrotin Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Chevrotin Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, caprine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Chevrotin Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Chevrotin Cheese 21+ days.

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Chevrotin Cheese?

Yes, they share close profiles. Same milk base and similar texture make them workable alternatives in many recipes.

Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Chevrotin Cheese?

Yes, quite easily. The milk base and texture are close enough that most recipes won't notice the swap.

Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Chevrotin Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Chevrotin Cheese is mild, caprine. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Chevrotin Cheese is closer to gentle caprine, woody, farmyard.

What is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) made of?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged not aged for long. 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, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Chevrotin Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.