Chevrotin Cheese vs Salers Cheese

Chevrotin Cheese is a soft, unctuous goat-milk cheese from France, while Salers Cheese is firm and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Chevrotin Cheese?

Chevrotin is a soft goat milk cheese from Savoy in France, made with unpasteurised milk and ripened at least three weeks on pine shelves. It holds an AOC and is known for a full flavor with a sourness that recalls wild mountain herbs.

What Is Salers Cheese?

Salers is a semi-hard pressed cheese from the Cantal department in France's Massif Central, made only between 15 April and 15 November. Wheels weigh about 40 kg (88 lb) and age in caves for three to forty-five months. It has held AOC status since 1961.

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

• Milk type: Chevrotin Cheese (Goat's Milk), Salers Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Chevrotin Cheese (Soft, unctuous), Salers Cheese (Firm)
• Rind: Chevrotin Cheese (Washed-rind), Salers Cheese (Thick gray)
• Aging: Chevrotin Cheese (21+ days), Salers Cheese (Minimum of three months, up to forty-five months)
• Taste: Chevrotin Cheese (Mild, Caprine), Salers Cheese (Strong-tasting)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Chevrotin Cheese Taste Like Salers Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Salers Cheese brings strong-tasting character. More specifically, Chevrotin Cheese shows gentle goatiness, balance of salt, vegetal notes, alpine flowers, pinkish exterior, fine white mold, ivory paste, while Salers Cheese leans toward plant and fruit with peppery and even smoky flavors. Aging plays into this as well. Chevrotin Cheese at 21+ days develops a different profile than Salers Cheese at minimum of three months, up to forty-five months.

Can You Substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Salers Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese can stand in for Salers 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 firm. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine while Salers Cheese brings strong-tasting notes.

Which Is Better, Chevrotin Cheese or Salers 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 firm profile, Salers Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chevrotin Cheese suits recipes that want mild, caprine notes, while Salers Cheese fits dishes calling for strong-tasting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chevrotin Cheese the same as Salers Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chevrotin Cheese is made from goat milk; Salers Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chevrotin Cheese is typically aged 21+ days, Salers Cheese minimum of three months, up to forty-five months.

Is Chevrotin Cheese similar to Salers Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Chevrotin Cheese for Salers Cheese?

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

Does Chevrotin Cheese taste like Salers Cheese?

Chevrotin Cheese reads as mild, caprine, while Salers Cheese is strong-tasting.

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 Salers Cheese made of?

Salers Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of three months, up to forty-five months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Chevrotin Cheese or Salers Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chevrotin Cheese is soft, unctuous, while Salers Cheese is firm.