Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese vs Stracchino Cheese
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, while Stracchino Cheese is very soft, creamy 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 Stracchino Cheese?
Stracchino, also called crescenza, is an Italian cow's milk cheese made in Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Liguria. It is eaten very young, with no rind, a soft creamy body and a mild, slightly acidic flavor.
What's the Difference Between Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese and Stracchino Cheese?
- Milk type: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk), Stracchino Cheese (cow)
- Rind: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds), Stracchino Cheese (none)
- Aging: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Minimum maturing period of 10 days), Stracchino Cheese (eaten very young)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | Stracchino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Lombardy, Tuscany, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia And Liguria, Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | — | Very soft, creamy |
| Rind | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds | None |
| Aging | Minimum maturing period of 10 days | Eaten very young |
| Taste | — | Mild, slightly acidic |
Taste Comparison: Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese Taste Like Stracchino 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 Stracchino Cheese at eaten very young.
Can You Substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Stracchino Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese can stand in for Stracchino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Stracchino 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 Stracchino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk; Stracchino Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days, Stracchino Cheese eaten very young.
Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese similar to Stracchino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Stracchino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese taste like Stracchino 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 Stracchino Cheese made of?
Stracchino Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged eaten very young. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Stracchino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.