Goat Cheese

Who knew that something so simple could taste so good? Goat cheese, with its pristine white color and distinct flavor is one of the most amazing foods in the world—a humble basic for some, a gourmet delight for others.

Our selection of goat cheeses ranges from creamy, mild spreads to pungent, crumbly discs to reinterpretations of favorite cow’s milk cheeses. It’s an essential part of any cheese plate, a course in itself or the secret behind the subtle tang in favorite recipes. Have a taste and enjoy the modest yet noble virtues of goat cheese.

Why we Love Goat Cheese

Variety! Goat cheeses can range in taste from strong and pungent, to delicate and mild. They come in many shapes—cone, disc, wheel, “button,” the log-like bûche (say: boosh) and the puck-like crottin (say: cro-TAN). They delight with many textures from creamy to crumbly to semi-firm. They are sold fresh, aged or marinated in olive oil or red wine. They may get coated in herbs (lavender is fantastic), black pepper, edible flowers and yes, even chocolate.

An Ancient Tradition Lives On

Goats were some of the first domesticated animals, thus the art of making goat cheese has a very long history. It began in the Eastern Mediterranean thousands of years ago, spreading through both mountains and deserts into Spain and France where it was heavily adopted.

Today goat cheese remains a staple of the Mediterranean diet, while North America furthers the tradition by producing an abundance of fabulous goat cheeses of its own. Many come from cherished, small, local producers with unique regional flavors. Others are from renowned cheese makers who have won international awards for their creations.

Nutrition and Goat Cheese

Compared to cow’s milk products such as cream cheese, goat cheese is lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. It also provides more calcium and fewer carbohydrates than cream cheese. Even though goat cheese has fewer calories, it has a full, rich and creamy flavor. Goat cheeses at Whole Foods Market® are all natural with no artificial additives or preservatives.

Recipes

Herb and Garlic Goat Cheese Dip

Goat cheese and low fat sour cream meld for a perfectly tangy and creamy dip that’s not too calorie-rich compared to most others. Make it ahead for a party or to spread on bagels or sandwiches.

5–6 oz fresh goat cheese
⅔ cup low fat sour cream
3 green onions (white and most of green part), chopped
1 TB chopped fresh parsley
1 TB fresh chopped basil
1 large or 2 small garlic cloves
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place all ingredients in a blender. Pulse 1–2 minutes until well combined but not completely pureed. Refrigerate several hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving. Makes about 1¼ cups.

Easy Goat Cheese Appetizer

Roll fresh goat cheese (any shape—log, crottin or pyramid) in one of the following mixtures to create a simple, yet impressive appetizer. Serve with crackers or crostini.

Sesame Thyme

½ cup sesame seeds
1 tsp very coarse ground black pepper
1 TB fresh thyme, minced (plus a few sprigs for garnish)

Fresh Herb

1 TB minced fresh thyme
1 TB minced fresh marjoram
1 TB dried grated lemon peel
2 fresh sage leaves, finely minced
2 fresh basil leaves, finely minced

Moroccan

1½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp grated nutmeg
⅛ tsp ground cardamom
⅛ tsp ground cloves

Spicy Pecan

⅔ cup finely chopped pecans
½ tsp paprika
pinch ground cayenne pepper

Pairing Wine with Goat Cheese

The tangy flavor of goat cheese is offset well by either a crisp White or young Red wine. One of the best pairings is with a White made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes—a good thing to remember when choosing wine to go with a recipe or restaurant dish. Chardonnay is another good White pairing. For Reds, try a perky Zinfandel, Pinot Noir or Malbec.