Goat Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese
Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
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 Roquefort Cheese?
Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.
What's the Difference Between Goat Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?
- Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Roquefort Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Roquefort Cheese (Moist, very creamy)
- Taste: Goat Cheese (tart, goaty), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goat Cheese | Roquefort Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Worldwide | Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, South Of France |
| Milk Type | Goat | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, semihard or hard | Moist, very creamy |
| Rind | — | None |
| Aging | — | Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months |
| Taste | Tart, goaty | Mild to strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp.
Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
Goat Cheese can stand in for Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.
Which Is Better, Goat Cheese or Roquefort 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 moist, very creamy profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese suits recipes that want tart, goaty notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goat Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep.
Is Goat Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Goat Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
What is Roquefort Cheese made of?
Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Goat Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Roquefort Cheese is moist, very creamy.