Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese vs Urdă Cheese
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.
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 Urdă Cheese?
Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.
What's the Difference Between Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese and Urdă Cheese?
- Milk type: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Goat's milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Raw), Urdă Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Rind: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
- Aging: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese (Minimum maturing period of 10 days), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese | Urdă Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia And Ukraine |
| Specific Origin | — | North Pindos, Konitsa |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | — | Creamy, delicate |
| Rind | Thin, ivory-colored, with or without white or blue molds | Yellowish |
| Aging | Minimum maturing period of 10 days | Up to 360 days |
| Taste | — | High quality |
Taste Comparison: Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese Taste Like Urdă 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 Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.
Can You Substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Urdă Cheese?
Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese can stand in for Urdă Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Urdă 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 Urdă Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is made from goat milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese is typically aged minimum maturing period of 10 days, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.
Is Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese for Urdă Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese taste like Urdă 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 Urdă Cheese made of?
Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.
Which should I choose, Crottin de Chavignol / Chavignol Cheese or Urdă Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.