Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Pasta Filata Cheese
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous and made from cow or buffalo milk.
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 Pasta Filata Cheese?
Pasta filata is the Italian spun-curd technique behind mozzarella, provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza. Fresh curd is kneaded in hot water until it turns soft, elastic and stringy, which gives the finished cheese its fibrous structure.
What's the Difference Between Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Pasta Filata Cheese?
- Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Pasta Filata Cheese (cow, water buffalo)
- Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Pasta Filata Cheese (soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous)
- Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Pasta Filata Cheese (fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chèvre (Goat Cheese) | Pasta Filata Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | France, Especially The Loire Valley And Poitou | Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow, water buffalo |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft | Soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous |
| Rind | Light colored | — |
| Aging | Not aged for long | Fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza |
| Taste | Tangy | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Pasta Filata Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Pasta Filata Cheese at fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Pasta Filata Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Pasta Filata 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, elastic and stringy, fibrous.
Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Pasta Filata 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, elastic and stringy, fibrous profile, Pasta Filata Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Pasta Filata Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Pasta Filata Cheese uses cow or buffalo. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Pasta Filata Cheese fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Pasta Filata Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Pasta Filata Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Pasta Filata Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Pasta Filata Cheese made of?
Pasta Filata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It's typically aged fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Pasta Filata Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous.