Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese vs Stelvio Cheese
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, while Stelvio Cheese is compact, pliable, and springy and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
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 Stelvio Cheese?
Stelvio, known in German as Stilfser, is a protected designation of origin cow's milk cheese from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano in northern Italy. It is known for its yellow to orange-brown rind, springy pale yellow paste, and pronounced, sometimes sharp taste.
What's the Difference Between Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese and Stelvio Cheese?
- Milk type: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk), Stelvio Cheese (Cow)
- Milk treatment: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Raw), Stelvio Cheese (Lightly skimmed to regulate fat content)
- Rind: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds), Stelvio Cheese (Yellow to orange-brown)
- Aging: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Minimum maturing period of 10 days), Stelvio Cheese (Minimum of sixty days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | Stelvio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Autonomous Province Of Bolzano |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Lightly skimmed to regulate fat content |
| Texture | — | Compact, pliable, and springy |
| Rind | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds | Yellow to orange-brown |
| Aging | Minimum maturing period of 10 days | Minimum of sixty days |
| Taste | — | Aromatic and marked, sometimes pungent |
Taste Comparison: Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese Taste Like Stelvio 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 Stelvio Cheese at minimum of sixty days.
Can You Substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Stelvio Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese can stand in for Stelvio Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Stelvio 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 Stelvio Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk; Stelvio Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days, Stelvio Cheese minimum of sixty days.
Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese similar to Stelvio Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Stelvio Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese taste like Stelvio 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 Stelvio Cheese made of?
Stelvio Cheese is made from cow milk (lightly skimmed to regulate fat content), using calf rennet or other rennet including plant origin, not genetically modified rennet. It's typically aged minimum of sixty days. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Stelvio Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.