Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (France), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), L'Etivaz Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chèvre (Goat Cheese) | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | France, Especially The Loire Valley And Poitou | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Hard |
| Rind | Light colored | — |
| Aging | Not aged for long | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Tangy | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with L'Etivaz Cheese's smokey. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, while L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for L'Etivaz Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for L'Etivaz 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 hard. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or L'Etivaz 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 hard profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) originates in France, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; L'Etivaz Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and L'Etivaz Cheese is closer to smokey.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.