Feta and goat cheese are each delicious varieties of cheese.
But is feta goat cheese? It may be common to confuse these two tangy and textural varieties of cheese. But once you learn about each of their characteristics, it’s easy to distinguish between the two.
Feta Cheese
Cheese making is an ancient art form, and feta is no exception. Feta dates back nearly 3,000 years. In fact, it is so ancient there is mention of it in Homer’s Odyssey. The name “feta” comes from the Greek word for “slice.”
Is feta goat cheese? Sometimes, but not usually. Traditionally feta is made using sheep milk, but commonly, it can be made using sheep, goat or cow milk, or any combination of the three.
Feta has a salty and pleasantly tangy taste. Texturally, it can range from firm and crumbly, to rich and creamy. In crumbled form,feta has a firm texture and salty flavor that brings out the best in bright, summery dishes. Try simply sprinkling some on salads or flatbreads to amplify their flavor.
In chunk form, this cheese provides a balance of creaminess and saltiness. Sliced feta is a brilliant textural contrast for fun appetizers. You can even grill or fryit to create some truly memorable dishes.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a highly versatile cheese. Like Feta, it has been made for thousands of years. Unlike feta, goat cheese is made using – you guessed it – goat milk.
There are many varieties of chèvre, each with its own characteristics. Président® goat cheese is light, creamy and rindless, made in the Poitou-Charentes region of France, an area particularly known for this dairy delicacy.
As for incorporating goat cheese into your kitchen, it makes the perfect complement to a bright summer salad. It’s also the basis for some rich, savory appetizers, and will provide textural contrast to any cheese plate as well.
Picking A Favorite
Now that you can recognize the differences between feta and goat cheese, the difficult part is choosing a favorite! We suggest exploring the Président website for more recipes using andgoat cheeseandfeta cheese.
FAQs
The main difference between feta and goat cheese is the type of milk that each contains. While feta is mostly made of sheep's milk, goat cheese is primarily made of goat's milk. Nonetheless, both feta and goat cheese are typically white cheeses with a creamy mouthfeel.
Can feta and goat cheese be used interchangeably? ›
Recipe Suitability
In recipes, feta and goat cheese can often be used interchangeably; however, the saltiness and firmness of feta may affect the final product.
Why do I like feta but not goat cheese? ›
When made entirely from sheep's milk, feta tends to be more buttery and creamy whereas the addition of goat's milk creates a more acidic and crumbly version. Goat cheese, on the other hand, does not have quite the saltiness that feta does.
What is the difference between goat and sheep feta? ›
Good cheese shops and some grocery stores will offer a few types of feta, differentiated by origin, milk type, and packaging technique. Sheep's milk fetas (the classic option) tend to be sharpest, while goat's and cow's milk versions are milder. But the most useful distinction is the geographical style.
What is the healthiest cheese? ›
Which cheese is healthiest? Cottage cheese is probably the healthiest cheese, Rizzo says. “It's lower in saturated fat and higher in protein than most other cheese,” she explains.
What is the best goat cheese to eat? ›
Goat Gouda, produced exclusively in Holland, is sweet and delicious, with caramel overtones. Balarina is a widely available variety. Tomme goat cheese is a variety made only in France, but U.S. cheesemakers are creating tomme-style goat cheese. "It's spreadable, washed, rinsed, aged, and uses raw milk," says Brokish.
What brand of feta cheese is made with goat milk? ›
Made with whole goat's milk, LaClare's Wisconsin-made feta is crumbly, salty, and tangy. This classic flavor profile is inspired by Greek tradition and modern-day cheesemaking. A great home staple, this feta is ideal for Greek salads, pizza, pasta, and more.
Is brie goat cheese? ›
Brie is a young, soft-ripened cheese with a creamy paste, an edible bloomy rind, and a distinctive aroma, usually associated with cow's milk. But many French cheesemakers use goat's milk to produce brie, and some Canadian and American producers do too.
Why do people dislike goat cheese? ›
Why are some people afraid to try such a delicious delicacy? Some people have never tried goat cheese because they are picky eaters and don't like trying something new. Others have tried goat cheese before and despised it because of a tangy, strong flavor that is associated with goat cheese known as “goatyness'.
Why can I eat goat cheese but not regular cheese? ›
Goat cheese as a lactose-friendly option
Goat cheese is a delicious option for people with lactose intolerance, especially if you choose aged varieties. Although goat cheese is not completely lactose-free, it contains significantly less lactose than cow's cheese, which usually makes it more digestible.
Goat's cheese comes in many varieties, from soft, spreadable cheese to hard, aged cheese. Some popular types of goat's cheese include feta, brie, and gouda.
What tastes better feta or goat cheese? ›
Differences from goat cheese
Feta has a crumbly texture and a salty, sometimes spicy flavour. The ripening process in brine contributes to these distinctive characteristics. Goat cheese is milder, with a creamy texture and a slightly sharp aftertaste.
Can I substitute goat cheese for feta? ›
Goat cheese has a crumbly texture and is great on salads and in pasta, and it's easy to mix into recipes. Goat cheese is a great feta cheese substitute.
Is goat cheese more expensive than feta? ›
Price. Cheese prices vary, but a pound of goat cheese currently costs between $7.5 for regular and upto $30 for speciality goat cheeses. Feta cheese costs about $5.99 per pound.
Why is goat cheese so different? ›
The scientific reason behind the goat flavour in goats' cheese, is that their milk has a higher amount of three smaller-chain fatty acids (caproic, capric and caprylic fat) that give those 'goaty', 'barnyardy' flavours.
Why is feta cheese healthier than other cheeses? ›
Feta contains more calcium than many other cheeses. Calcium helps you maintain healthy teeth and bones. Feta cheese also has high levels of phosphorus. Consuming these phosphorus and calcium together has been linked to improved bone density and osteoporosis prevention.
Does feta cheese melt? ›
Cooking: Feta melts well, turning soft, not gooey, and maintains its flavor when heated. One way to serve Feta which will blow your mind is to mix it with fresh melon of any kind. It's a life-changer. Check out this recipe, where we pair Feta, melon, and grilled Grouper (yes – FISH!) with Feta.
