Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Kashkaval Cheese

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Kashkaval Cheese is medium-hard to hard, elastic and made from cow or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

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 Kashkaval Cheese?

Kashkaval is a yellow cheese from the Balkans made with cow, sheep or goat milk, or a mixture of them. It melts and fries well, so it shows up on pizza, inside breakfast pastries and as a filling in Levantine baking.

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

• Origin: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (France), Kashkaval Cheese (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey)
• Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Kashkaval Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Kashkaval Cheese (Varied)
• Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Kashkaval Cheese (Medium-hard to hard, elastic)
• Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Kashkaval Cheese (Varied)
• Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Kashkaval Cheese (Minimum of two months)
• Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Kashkaval Cheese (Piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Kashkaval Cheese brings piquant character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Kashkaval Cheese's varied. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, while Kashkaval Cheese leans toward mildly salty and acidic, melts well, piquant flavor enhanced in 100% sheep’s milk cheeses.. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Kashkaval Cheese at minimum of two months.

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

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Kashkaval 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 medium-hard to hard, elastic. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Kashkaval Cheese brings piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Kashkaval 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 medium-hard to hard, elastic profile, Kashkaval Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Kashkaval Cheese fits dishes calling for piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) originates in France, while Kashkaval Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Kashkaval Cheese uses cow or sheep. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Kashkaval Cheese minimum of two months.

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Kashkaval Cheese?

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

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

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

Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Kashkaval Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Kashkaval Cheese is piquant. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Kashkaval Cheese is closer to varied.

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 Kashkaval Cheese made of?

Kashkaval Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk (varied), using varied rennet. It's typically aged minimum of two months. It originates in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Kashkaval Cheese is medium-hard to hard, elastic.