Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Pérail Cheese
Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
Pérail Cheese
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Pérail Cheese is soft and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
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 Pérail Cheese?
Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.
What's the Difference Between Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Pérail Cheese?
- Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Pérail Cheese (sheep)
- Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Pérail Cheese (wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum)
- Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Pérail Cheese (2 to 8 weeks)
- Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Chèvre (Goat Cheese) | Pérail Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | France, Especially The Loire Valley And Poitou | Aveyron, France |
| Milk Type | Goat | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft | Soft |
| Rind | Light colored | Wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum |
| Aging | Not aged for long | 2 to 8 weeks |
| Taste | Tangy | Distinctly sheepy in older cheeses |
Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Pérail Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses character. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Pérail Cheese at 2 to 8 weeks.
Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Pérail Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) can stand in for Pérail Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes.
Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Pérail Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Pérail Cheese fits dishes calling for distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Pérail Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Pérail Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Pérail Cheese 2 to 8 weeks.
Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Pérail Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Pérail Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Pérail Cheese?
Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Pérail Cheese is distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.
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 Pérail Cheese made of?
Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Pérail Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.