Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Havarti Cheese

Q: Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Havarti Cheese?

No. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Havarti Cheese are distinct cheeses from France and Denmark respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Havarti Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Havarti Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Havarti 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.

Chèvre (Goat Cheese)

Havarti Cheese

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

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 Havarti Cheese?

Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.

What's the Difference Between Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Havarti Cheese?

Origin: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (France), Havarti Cheese (Denmark)
Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Havarti Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Havarti Cheese (pasteurized)
Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Havarti Cheese (Smooth)
Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Havarti Cheese (rindless)
Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Havarti Cheese (about 3 months)
Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Chèvre (Goat Cheese)	Havarti Cheese
Country of Origin	France	Denmark
Specific Origin	France, Especially The Loire Valley And Poitou	Denmark
Milk Type	Goat	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Soft	Smooth
Rind	Light colored	Rindless
Aging	Not aged for long	About 3 months
Taste	Tangy	Mild, buttery

Pairing Comparison

What works with each cheese: wines, foods, breads and more.

	Chèvre (Goat Cheese)	Havarti Cheese
Pairs well with	Albariño, Asparagus, Bresaola, Cabernet Franc, California Viogniers, Cava, Champagne, Fig Jam, German Riesling, Green Tea, Grüner Veltliner, Honey and more	Kolsch, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Apples, Asian Pear, Asparagus, Belgian Blonde, California Viogniers, Champagne, Crackers, Dirty Martini, Green Apple and more

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

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Havarti Cheese's buttery. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, while Havarti Cheese leans toward mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello.. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Havarti Cheese at about 3 months.

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

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Havarti 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 smooth. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Havarti 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 smooth profile, Havarti Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Havarti Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) originates in France, while Havarti Cheese comes from Denmark. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Havarti Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Havarti Cheese about 3 months.

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Havarti Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Havarti Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Havarti Cheese is mild, buttery. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Havarti Cheese is closer to buttery.

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 Havarti Cheese made of?

Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.

Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Havarti Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Havarti Cheese is smooth.