Goat Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese
Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow 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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.
What's the Difference Between Goat Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
- Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers))
- Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
- Taste: Goat Cheese (tart, goaty), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goat Cheese | Saint-Nectaire Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Worldwide | Massif Du Sancy, Auvergne |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow’s milk (Holstein, Montbéliarde, sometimes Salers) |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier |
| Texture | Soft, semihard or hard | Soft and tender |
| Rind | — | Washed-rind |
| Aging | — | At least twenty-eight days |
| Taste | Tart, goaty | Delicate hazelnut |
Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty.
Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Goat Cheese can stand in for Saint-Nectaire 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 and tender. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.
Which Is Better, Goat Cheese or Saint-Nectaire 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 and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese suits recipes that want tart, goaty notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goat Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Saint-Nectaire Cheese uses cow.
Is Goat Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Goat Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
What is Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?
Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Goat Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.