While most cheeses in the world are made from cow’s milk, there are also a few other interesting varieties made from the milk of goats, sheep or even buffalo! In this article we would like to feature the cheeses made from goat’s milk and how they differ from “normal” cow milk varieties.

What is goat cheese?

Goat’s cheese, sometimes also referred to as chèvre (French for goat), is made from goat’s milk and comes in a variety of styles, from soft fresh cheeses to hard aged cheeses. Goat cheese has been produced for thousands of years already and is thought to be one of the earliest types of dairy products made from milk.

The differences between goat’s cheese and cow’s milk cheese

Flavour and Taste: Cow’s milk has a mild, more neutral flavour, while goat cheese has a more distinctive tangy, “wild” flavour and also tends to be softer than cow’s milk cheese.

Nutrition: Goat milk is lower in sodium, contains many vitamins and minerals and a less harmful casein variant than cow’s milk. It is slightly higher in fat and contains less lactose, vitamin D, and riboflavin than cow milk. Cow’s milk is slightly more difficult to digest than goat’s cheese. Goat’s milk is considered to be slightly healthier than cow’s milk cheese and is also a possible alternative for someone who is allergic to cow’s milk or lactose intolerant.

Availability: Cow cheese is usually more easily available compared to goat cheese and there are many more types on the market. Cheeses made from cow’s milk are usually more affordable and are produced in greater quantities. On the other hand, goat cheese is usually made and sold locally.

If you prefer a slightly healthier cheese and enjoy the strong flavour of goat’s cheese, this might be a good option for you. Try a delicious goat’s feta or soft spreadable goat’s cheeses flavoured with herbs and spices.

We offer locally produced goat’s milk cheeses via our online shop http://finecheese.co.za/shop/ or at our premises at The Mousetrap in Brackenfell.