Goat Cheese vs Ricotta Cheese
Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.
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 Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.
What's the Difference Between Goat Cheese and Ricotta Cheese?
- Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist)
- Taste: Goat Cheese (tart, goaty), Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goat Cheese | Ricotta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Worldwide | Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Whey |
| Texture | Soft, semihard or hard | Soft, moist |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | — | Fresh |
| Taste | Tart, goaty | Sweet, slightly creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Ricotta Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy character. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Ricotta Cheese leans toward depending on milk source.
Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Ricotta Cheese?
Goat Cheese can stand in for Ricotta 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 soft, moist. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Goat Cheese or Ricotta 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 soft, moist profile, Ricotta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese suits recipes that want tart, goaty notes, while Ricotta Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, slightly creamy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goat Cheese the same as Ricotta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Ricotta Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo.
Is Goat Cheese similar to Ricotta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Ricotta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Goat Cheese taste like Ricotta Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Ricotta Cheese is sweet, slightly creamy.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
What is Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Goat Cheese or Ricotta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist.