Goat Cheese | Whole Foods Market
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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 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 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.
Storing Goat Cheese
Exposure to air causes cheese to dry out. Keep pieces wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper, or place in a zip-style bag and squeeze out all the air before closing. Store in the cheese drawer of your refrigerator at 40°F.
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 to 6 oz fresh goat cheese 2/3 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 to 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