Goat Cheese vs Limburger Cheese
Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Limburger Cheese is firm to spreadable and made from cow milk, originating in Belgium.
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 Is Limburger Cheese?
Limburger is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from the Herve area of the old Duchy of Limburg, now part of Belgium. It is known for the powerful smell it develops after about three months of ripening.
What's the Difference Between Goat Cheese and Limburger Cheese?
- Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Limburger Cheese (Cow’s milk)
- Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Limburger Cheese (Firm to spreadable)
- Taste: Goat Cheese (tart, goaty), Limburger Cheese (Meaty, farmyard)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goat Cheese | Limburger Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Belgium |
| Specific Origin | Worldwide | Limburg, Allgäu |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, semihard or hard | Firm to spreadable |
| Rind | — | Sticky, orange-brown |
| Aging | — | 3 months |
| Taste | Tart, goaty | Meaty, farmyard |
Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Limburger Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Limburger Cheese brings meaty, farmyard character. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Limburger Cheese leans toward created in the 1800s by belgian trappist monks and renowned for its pungent odor, limburger cheese evolves from firm and crumbly to exceptionally creamy and stinky over three months. the odor, akin to smelly feet, is due to brevibacterium linens used in the brine wash. now predominantly produced in germany, with a significant historical presence in the american midwest, particularly wisconsin. traditionally served with dark bread, brown mustard, onion slices, and beer. despite its notoriety for its distinctive smell, limburger remains a famous washed-rind cheese, enjoyed in sandwiches or with boiled potatoes and butter..
Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Limburger Cheese?
Goat Cheese can stand in for Limburger Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, semihard or hard bite and body where the recipe calls for firm to spreadable. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty while Limburger Cheese brings meaty, farmyard notes.
Which Is Better, Goat Cheese or Limburger Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, semihard or hard cheese, go with Goat Cheese. For a firm to spreadable profile, Limburger Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese suits recipes that want tart, goaty notes, while Limburger Cheese fits dishes calling for meaty, farmyard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goat Cheese the same as Limburger Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Limburger Cheese uses cow.
Is Goat Cheese similar to Limburger Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Limburger Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Goat Cheese taste like Limburger Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Limburger Cheese is meaty, farmyard.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
What is Limburger Cheese made of?
Limburger Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Belgium.
Which should I choose, Goat Cheese or Limburger Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Limburger Cheese is firm to spreadable.