Cheddar Cheese vs Goat Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard and made from goat milk.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What Is Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese, also called chèvre, is cheese made from goat's milk. It is produced around the world in styles ranging from fresh and soft to aged and hard, and is known for the tart, goaty flavor that comes from the milk's medium-chain fatty acids.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Goat Cheese?
- Milk type: Cheddar Cheese (cow's milk), Goat Cheese (goat)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Goat Cheese (tart, goaty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Goat Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | — |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Worldwide |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Soft, semihard or hard |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | — |
| Aging | A few months to several years | — |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Tart, goaty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Goat Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Goat Cheese brings tart, goaty character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Goat Cheese leans toward tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Goat Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese can stand in for Goat Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, semihard or hard. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Goat Cheese brings tart, goaty notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Goat Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a soft, semihard or hard profile, Goat Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Goat Cheese fits dishes calling for tart, goaty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Goat Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk; Goat Cheese uses goat.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Goat Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Goat Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Goat Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Goat Cheese is tart, goaty.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Goat Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard.