Chevrotin Cheese vs Kashkaval Cheese

Chevrotin Cheese is a soft, unctuous 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 Chevrotin Cheese?

Chevrotin is an artisanal goat's milk cheese from the Alpine regions of France. It is similar to Reblochon but made exclusively from goat's milk. Chevrotin has a washed rind and a supple, creamy texture with a slightly nutty and earthy flavor, often developing a stronger taste with maturation.

What Is Kashkaval Cheese?

Kashkaval is a popular type of yellow cheese made from cow's milk, or sometimes from sheep's milk, in various countries across the Balkans. It has a semi-hard texture and a rich, slightly tangy flavor that becomes sharper with age. Kashkaval is versatile in cooking, used for grating, slicing, and melting in dishes like pizzas, sandwiches, and casseroles.

What's the Difference Between Chevrotin Cheese and Kashkaval Cheese?

• Origin: Chevrotin Cheese (France), Kashkaval Cheese (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey)
• Milk type: Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk), Kashkaval Cheese (cow's or sheep's milk)
• Milk treatment: Chevrotin Cheese (Unpasteurized), Kashkaval Cheese (Varied)
• Texture: Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous), Kashkaval Cheese (Medium-hard to hard, elastic)
• Rind: Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind), Kashkaval Cheese (Varied)
• Aging: Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days), Kashkaval Cheese (Minimum of two months)
• Taste: Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine), Kashkaval Cheese (Piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Chevrotin Cheese Taste Like Kashkaval Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Kashkaval Cheese brings piquant character. On the nose, Chevrotin Cheese offers gentle caprine, woody, farmyard, contrasted with Kashkaval Cheese's varied. More specifically, Chevrotin Cheese shows gentle goatiness, balance of salt, vegetal notes, alpine flowers, pinkish exterior, fine white mold, ivory paste, 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. Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days develops a different profile than Kashkaval Cheese at minimum of two months.

Can You Substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese can stand in for Kashkaval Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, unctuous bite and body where the recipe calls for medium-hard to hard, elastic. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine while Kashkaval Cheese brings piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Chevrotin Cheese or Kashkaval Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, unctuous cheese, go with Chevrotin Cheese. For a medium-hard to hard, elastic profile, Kashkaval Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese suits recipes that want mild, caprine notes, while Kashkaval Cheese fits dishes calling for piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chevrotin Cheese the same as Kashkaval Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chevrotin Cheese originates in France, while Kashkaval Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Turkey. Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk; Kashkaval Cheese uses cow or sheep. Aging also differs: Chevrotin Cheese is typically aged 21+ days, Kashkaval Cheese minimum of two months.

Is Chevrotin Cheese similar to Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Kashkaval Cheese?

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

Does Chevrotin Cheese taste like Kashkaval Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Kashkaval Cheese is piquant. Aromas also diverge. Chevrotin Cheese leans gentle caprine, woody, farmyard, and Kashkaval Cheese is closer to varied.

What is Chevrotin Cheese made of?

Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized), using rennet rennet. It's typically aged 21+ days. 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, Chevrotin Cheese or Kashkaval Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous, while Kashkaval Cheese is medium-hard to hard, elastic.