Camembert Cheese vs Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Camembert Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from France, while Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese.
What Is Camembert Cheese?
Camembert is a famous French cheese with a soft, creamy interior and a bloomy rind. It's made from cow's milk and has a rich, buttery flavor with earthy undertones. True Camembert from Normandy has a slightly more intense flavor compared to other varieties and becomes runnier as it ages.
What Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol, also known simply as Chavignol, is a cheese made from raw whole goat's milk. It originates from France and is protected under the designation of origin (PDO). The cheese is shaped like a flat cylinder and has a thin rind that can be ivory-colored with or without white or blue molds. The cheese is known for its lactic coagulation process with a small amount of rennet added. It has a fat content of at least 45% of the dry matter and a total dry matter content between 37g and 48g per cheese. The cheese is matured for at least 10 days, and a special version called "repassé" is matured in a confined atmosphere to develop a blue Penicillium mold.
What's the Difference Between Camembert Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
- Milk type: Camembert Cheese (cow's milk), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk)
- Rind: Camembert Cheese (Bloomy), Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Camembert Cheese | Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | — |
| Rind | Bloomy | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds |
| Aging | — | Minimum maturing period of 10 days |
| Taste | Sweet | — |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Camembert Cheese | Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Gamay, Grüner Veltliner, Hard Cider, Viognier | — |
| Other Good Pairings | Cabernet Franc, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Grapes, Kolsch, Merlot, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, White Burgundy | — |
Which would you pick?
One click, anonymous — see what others chose.
Where to buy Camembert Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Camembert Cheese
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Camembert Cheese Taste Like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Camembert Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Camembert Cheese can stand in for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Camembert Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Camembert Cheese the same as Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Camembert Cheese is made from cow milk; Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese uses goat.
Is Camembert Cheese similar to Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Camembert Cheese for Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Camembert Cheese taste like Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Camembert Cheese made of?
Camembert Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in France.
What is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese made of?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk (raw), using small quantity added rennet. It's typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days.
Which should I choose, Camembert Cheese or Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.
See full profiles: Camembert Cheese and Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese.