Goat Cheese

How to Choose the Best

Goat’s milk cheese is soft and mildly tart-flavored. Its color ranges from white to ivory and it is sold fresh in logs or aged with a rind in differing shapes and sizes. Always check the package expiration date when selecting goat cheese to ensure the product is as fresh as possible and will not spoil within a few days. In some cases, price correlates to quality because more expensive cheeses may be aged longer or come from small artisan producers.

Shelf Life and Storage

Store cheese in the refrigerator, either in a deli drawer or on a tray away from air vents. The expiration date on the package is the best indicator for how long it will remain fresh. Regardless, many cheeses will develop some signs of mold on the outside of the skin. Aged goat cheese can still be used, even with mold growth. Cut off at least one inch around and below the mold spot. Make sure to keep the knife out of the mold itself to avoid spreading the mold spores. After trimming the cheese wrap it in fresh plastic wrap. Fresh goat cheese should never be consumed if mold is present but rather discarded immediately.

Freezing

Freeze goat cheese in small amounts. Thaw frozen cheese in the refrigerator overnight to safely defrost it. Its texture might change and become slightly more crumbly after freezing.

Preparation Suggestions

At room temperature, fresh goat cheese is spreadable and can be served with crackers and breads. Coat goat cheese with herbs or toasted nuts and warm in the oven for a salad garnish. Try using goat cheese in a cheesecake recipe for a more tangy dessert. Use a piece of unflavored dental floss to portion the cheese into nice clean discs.