LaClare Creamery pays homage to this fresh, flavorful fromage (a.k.a. goat cheese).
Whether or not you know how to say it, we bet you know how to savor it. Chèvre, in French, literally means goat. And by extension, fromage de chèvre means goat cheese. Over time, the “fromage de” fell away, so now the term chèvre is synonymous with goat cheese—and most often, the young, fresh goat cheese that tastes bright, tart, tangy, and earthy. Some may simply refer to it as soft goat cheese, which is also A-OK. At LaClare Creamery, we focus our passion on the freshness and flavor and leave it to preference what you care to call it.
With a history deeply rooted in French tradition, chèvre has become a favorite across the globe. It's not surprising that cheese, and all its vast varieties, is a key component of many cultures’ diets, whether for snacking or as a coveted ingredient in their cuisine.
Hard to believe, but prior to the 1980s, the goat cheese market was virtually nonexistent in the U.S., with few, if anyone, asking for fresh chèvre. Luckily for goat cheese lovers across America, chèvre has soared in popularity and, by extension, has become increasingly common on supermarket shelves.
Today, as an artisanal cheese crafted from goat milk, chèvre stands out as a versatile and flavorful choice that can be enjoyed on its own or added to recipes to bring a delightfully delicious twist to an endless array of dishes. We'll explore the wide world of chèvre, from understanding its pronunciation to the process by which it’s produced. As the pièce de résistance, we'll share creative ways to make this delectable goat cheese a key ingredient in your daily recipes, an elegant yet effortless way to elevate your everyday.
Are Chèvre and Goat Cheese One in the Same?
Chèvre is goat cheese, but not all goat cheese is chèvre. Let that marinate for a minute ...
Any cheese can be made from lait de chèvre (goat’s milk), but in U.S. grocery stores, chèvre tends to refer only to the young, fresh kind. And to make things even trickier, chèvre does not have to be young; it can also refer to aged goat’s milk cheeses. Chèvre comes in a range of ages, textures, shapes, and flavors. It can be soft, young, and spreadable, or aged with more rind development and flavor concentration. The moral of the story is this: fresh goat cheese—the spreadable kind that comes in logs, medallions, and cups, commonly referred to as chèvre or goat cheese, is just one of many in a family of chèvres, and only one type of goat cheese. During your next trip to the grocery store, you may want to ask for fresh chèvre or fresh goat cheese just to be sure you get the chèvre you seek.
How to Pronounce Chèvre?
We’ve established chèvre’s French origin but what about its pronunciation? The “re” in chèvre is just one of the many nuances of the French language. It has a tonsillar, guttural trill, like a bird's call. In English, you simply say “SHEHV” or “SHEH-vruh,” though SHEHV seems to be the more common pronunciation. But if you want to keep the class factor and show off those years of high school French, pronounce it as “SHEHV (trill) hruh.” Even if you stumble to say it, don’t let that sway you from enjoying the unique flavor profile that sets it apart from other dairy products. The easiest way to get the soft goat cheese you crave? Ask for LaClare.
How Chèvre is Made: The LaClare Way
Fresh, clean flavor starts with fresh, clean milk. Right in our own backyard, in Malone, Wisconsin, we have the highest concentration of dairy goat farming in the nation. All milk is sourced from farms that are a short trip from the creamery, with most being less than 10 miles away. This means fresher milk, reduced travel agitation, and minimal points of quality disruption. As one of the only 100%-domestically produced goat cheese brands in the country, we’re dedicated to clean taste and extraordinary flavor.
With sustainability, transparency, and tradition at the forefront of all we do, our innovative cheesemakers craft Unrivaled goat cheese to please all palates with clean, fresh flavor profiles that cannot be imitated. Freshness is the start and the heart of all our chèvre, creating a creamy canvas ready to be infused with unique flavors for a goat cheese that’s never less than extraordinary.
To experience the play-by-play symphony of creating chèvre, read our blog, Cultural Enrichment: How is Goat Cheese Made?
3 Easy Ways to Enjoy Chèvre
Now that we've explored how chèvre came to be, let's discover some effortless ways to elevate your everyday by making it part of your meal planning.
Jumpstart Your Day
Spread chèvre on your morning toast or bagel and top it with fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of honey for a beautiful blend of sweet and savory flavors. Skip the carbs and add crumbled Garlic & Herb chèvre to your scrambled eggs or omelets for a satiating twist. Pressed for time? Try our travel-friendly egg bite recipe featuring Mediterranean chèvre for a flavorful, protein-packed, on-the-go option.
Upgrade Your Greens
Take a simple salad from bland to grand with crumbled goat cheese; chèvre also complements roasted vegetables, creating a harmonious balance of creamy and crunchy elements.
Next-Level Apps + Entrees
There is no secret code to crack. Simply add chèvre to your favorite recipes—soups, pastas, pizzas—in place of (or why not in addition to?) the cheese you typically use. Your go-to queso for quesadillas may be Pepper Jack but give Chili Lime chèvre a try next time you’re feeling spicy.
Elevate Your Everyday
Chèvre, with its rich history and distinct flavor profile, inspires a culinary journey that begs the question: Why Eat Average? From the careful production process that transforms goat milk into a versatile, flavorful cheese to the myriad ways it can elevate your everyday, chèvre has earned a place in your kitchen. Embrace it and let the tangy, creamy goat cheese goodness make your meals more memorable.
Craving more? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, where we continually share chèvre-related stories, our go-to goat cheese recipes, and more. Plus, check out The Cheese Board blog, for all the distinctly delicious goat cheese news that’s fit to serve.