Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a cheese that is made from goat milk. It is sometimes called ‘chevre’. Goat cheese comes in a wide array of forms. It can either be made firm or semi-firm in texture.
It is usually a soft, smooth cheese which spreads easily and has a distinct flavour that is tangy like that of goat milk. The strong goat flavour is due to the hormones in the milk which can be reduced. Goat milk is highly influenced by what goats are eating as goats tend to eat more bitter plants which cows would not eat, hence the distinctive taste.

Goat cheese is a preferred dairy product as it is said to be less dense in calories like the cheese made from cow’s milk. Goat cheese is also easier to digest; therefore some persons who can not have other milk products will more likely be able to eat goat cheese. It is also said that goat cheese does not put any strain on the heart, which is great news. This is due to its low fat content and the cheese being able to be digested quite easily.

Goat cheese is often made in areas where refrigeration is limited so aged goat cheeses are frequently and heavily treated with salt for the prevention of decay. Due to this, salt has become a distinct flavour that is present in the taste of goat cheese.

Goat cheese is manufactured by warming goat milk and mixing it with rennet, which is an enzyme which allows the milk to curdle. The curds are then drained and pressed. Soft goat cheese is made by hanging bundles of cheesecloth filled with curds for a number of days to be drained and cured.

Types of Goat Cheese

• Castelo Branco – This type of goat cheese is from Portugal

• Halloumi – Greek cheese made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk

• Feta – Greek cheese also made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk