Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Gorgonzola Cheese
Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
Gorgonzola Cheese
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Gorgonzola Cheese?
Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, named for a town near Milan. It comes in two styles: dolce, mild and buttery, and piccante, sharper with a firm, crumbly body.
What's the Difference Between Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Gorgonzola Cheese?
- Origin: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (France), Gorgonzola Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Gorgonzola Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly)
- Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Gorgonzola Cheese (None)
- Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months)
- Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chèvre (Goat Cheese) | Gorgonzola Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | France, Especially The Loire Valley And Poitou | Lombardy, Piedmont |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Soft to crumbly |
| Rind | Light colored | None |
| Aging | Not aged for long | 2 to 3 months |
| Taste | Tangy | Sweet to savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Gorgonzola Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Gorgonzola Cheese brings sweet to savory character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Gorgonzola Cheese's nutty. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, while Gorgonzola Cheese leans toward dolce: creamy, slightly spicy, delicate. piccante: blue-veined, crumbly, strong, with widespread bluish-green marbling. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months.
Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Gorgonzola Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Gorgonzola Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft to crumbly. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Gorgonzola Cheese brings sweet to savory notes.
Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Gorgonzola Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Chèvre (Goat Cheese). For a soft to crumbly profile, Gorgonzola Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Gorgonzola Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Gorgonzola Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) originates in France, while Gorgonzola Cheese comes from Italy. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Gorgonzola Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Gorgonzola Cheese 2 to 3 months.
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Gorgonzola Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Gorgonzola Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Gorgonzola Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Gorgonzola Cheese is sweet to savory. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Gorgonzola Cheese is closer to nutty.
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 Gorgonzola Cheese made of?
Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Gorgonzola Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly.