Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese vs Gouda Cheese
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, while Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.
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 Is Gouda Cheese?
Gouda is a yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. It runs from young and elastic to old and hard, picking up a caramel sweetness and small crunchy crystals with age.
What's the Difference Between Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese and Gouda Cheese?
- Milk type: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk), Gouda Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Raw), Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Rind: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds), Gouda Cheese (Durable)
- Aging: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Minimum maturing period of 10 days), Gouda Cheese (4 weeks to 21 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | Gouda Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | — | Southern Holland |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged |
| Rind | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds | Durable |
| Aging | Minimum maturing period of 10 days | 4 weeks to 21 months |
| Taste | — | Sweet to nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese Taste Like Gouda Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese at minimum maturing period of 10 days develops a different profile than Gouda Cheese at 4 weeks to 21 months.
Can You Substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese can stand in for Gouda Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese the same as Gouda Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk; Gouda Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days, Gouda Cheese 4 weeks to 21 months.
Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese similar to Gouda Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Gouda Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese taste like Gouda Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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.
What is Gouda Cheese made of?
Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months. It originates in Netherlands.
Which should I choose, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Gouda Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.