Dorothy FarrarGoat cheese
Goat cheese is a delicious food that has particularly high health benefits due to its abundance of vitamins and important nutrients. It can be enjoyed in different variations and with its fine aroma can give every dish a special touch.
Here’s what you should know about goat cheese
Goats have accompanied humans as farm animals for thousands of years, which is why goat cheese is one of the oldest foods. It has probably been made and used as cheese by cows or sheep for some time. Goats are frugal animals and can also live in barren areas.
Especially in southern Europe, goat’s cheese has a permanent place in the local kitchen. In France and Spain in particular, there is a centuries-old tradition in the production of goat cheese, from which many different varieties have developed. In Germany, both the fine taste and the health benefits of goat’s cheese are becoming more and more appreciated, so that goat’s cheese has become increasingly popular in recent decades.
Goat cheese is made from raw or pasteurized goat milk. As with other cheeses, it is available as cream cheese, soft cheese , butter cheese or hard cheese. The degree of ripeness of the goat’s cheese depends on the length and type of storage. Cream cheese made from goat’s milk tastes very mild and slightly aromatic. This type of cheese is often refined with herbs, honey or spices. The longer the cheese matures, the spicier it tastes.
importance to health
Goat cheese is considered a healthy food because it has a number of advantages over cheese made from cows or sheep. The content of vitamins and minerals is particularly high. Especially when compared to cow’s milk, goat’s milk performs much better in terms of health.
Worth mentioning here are vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, the important B vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, folic acid, niacin, zinc, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. All of these substances are important for cell metabolism, the nervous system and a functioning immune system . The linolenic acids contained – these are unsaturated fatty acids – also have a positive effect on the organism.
Basically, goat’s cheese is a strengthening food with a particularly positive effect on the stomach , intestines and liver . Due to the high content of B vitamins, it also strengthens the nervous system. Goat’s milk contains less casein than other cheeses, making it easy to digest. Due to its very low lactose content, it is also suitable for people with lactose intolerance .
Ingredients & nutritional values
Goat cheese contains important vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, as well as the B vitamins B1, B2, B6 and B12, which are important for the nervous system. Important minerals are folic acid, potassium, zinc, niacin, calcium and phosphorus. Cheese contains fatty acids, in goat cheese it is mainly the important linolenic acids.
| Calories and nutrients (per 100g) | ||
| kilocalories/kilojoules | 1523 kcal/ 364 kj | |
| protein | 21,5 g | |
| carbohydrates | 2,5 g | |
| Fett | 29,8 g | |
| Water | 45% | |
intolerances
Of course, as with all other foods, an intolerance can also occur with goat cheese. Like all dairy products, goat’s cheese contains lactose, but due to the low content, it is also well tolerated by people who suffer from lactose intolerance . Cream cheese or soft cheese have the best tolerability in terms of histamine intolerance .
Goat’s milk is also recommended for allergy sufferers and for people suffering from neurodermatitis . In individual cases, however, the tolerance of goat cheese should be tried out individually.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Goat cream cheese tastes best fresh from the manufacturer and is now available in many farm shops. You can also buy cream cheese, soft cheese or hard cheese made from goat’s milk in the supermarket. However, as a consumer, you have to pay attention to the proportion of goat’s milk. In addition to goat’s milk, many types of cheese also contain cow’s or sheep’s milk.
However, the health benefits of goat’s milk only come into their own with 100% pure goat’s cheese. Goat cheese needs to be kept cool. The shelf life depends on the type of cheese and depends primarily on the water content of the cheese. Fresh cheese has to be eaten within a few days, while hard cheese can be stored in a refrigerated environment for up to several weeks.
preparation tips
The cream cheese can be further processed after purchase. Delicious dips and spreads can be prepared with herbs, spices or vegetables.
A classic preparation idea for soft goat cheese like Camembert is to gratinate it. The cheese is slightly heated in the oven until it melts, and can then be eaten as oven cheese with a salad or a vegetable side dish. Butter cheese and hard cheese are mainly used as a topping for bread, but can also be used in a suitable form for gratinating.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.