Goat cheese benefits and harms. Types of goat cheese

Assortment of cheeses and cheese products on domestic shelves is mainly limited to the standard "Dutch", "Poshekhonsky", "Russian" and the like - made from cow's milk. However, cheese can also be made from goat. Mostly Spanish Manchego is based on it, a little more than a dozen different varieties.

What are the benefits and harms of goat cheese, who is recommended to use it?

General characteristics of goat cheese

If speak about palatability of this product, regardless of the variety, it will be more tender than cow's milk cheese, but it has less natural sugar. It has a subtler smell, even with some moldy French varieties, although if you choose goat cheese directly by smell, buy Dutch - unlike French, it has almost no aroma.

The calorie content of goat cheese depends on the specific variety, the characteristics of its production, additives:

• In a 100-gram piece of cheese from goat milk is about 253 kcal, where 20 g of fat and 17.9 g of protein.
• A 100-gram piece of Cachotta cheese from goat's milk contains 292 kcal, while there are 26 g of proteins and 22 g of fat.
• A 100-gram piece of Spanish Manchego has a lot more calories - as much as 395 kcal. They have 32 g of fat and only 24 g of protein.

As with goat cheeses, softer and less aged goat varieties are relatively low calorie and fat content, while firm on energy value can reach 400 kcal (per piece weighing 100 g).

Health benefits of goat cheese

The main advantage of such cheese is easier digestion: goat's milk is more easily tolerated by the body than cow's, since its fat cells are much closer in structure to human ones. This reduces the burden on the digestive tract. In addition, experts also note a low content of cholesterol, as well as fats, which makes goat cheese good option for dieters. It is also important that it has little lactose, so with lactase deficiency it is not as dangerous as cow cheese.

As for the beneficial properties of goat cheese, first of all it supplies even large quantity calcium than a cow's milk product, so it is necessary for everyone who suffers from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The only exceptions are persons with salt deposits - any cheese is contraindicated for them.

In addition, goat cheese is absolutely hypoallergenic, has more than a hundred bacteria in its chemical composition and helps to normalize metabolic processes in the body. If you do not compare goat cheese with cow or sheep cheese, you must definitely mention the presence of phosphorus, vitamin B2, retinol and protein in it, which can make up for the deficiency of this element in people who do not eat meat.

Harm of goat cheese and contraindications

As noted above, goat cheese is much less dangerous to health (especially digestion) compared to cow cheese, but it also has a drawback. If it is made from unpasteurized milk, tuberculosis or salmonella pathogens may be present in it. Although some experts believe that goat milk's own bacteria neutralize the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, there is nothing to fear.

Doctors remind that cheese is a product with hyperacidity Therefore, it is not recommended for people suffering from peptic ulcer, gastritis, gastroduodenitis, as well as during exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases.

Moreover, it is not excluded possible harm goat cheese to health, if the terms and conditions of storage have been violated: wrapped in waxed paper, such cheese, if it is soft (i.e. young), can be kept in the refrigerator for no longer than 14 days, but aged is stored for up to 90 days.

Many countries fight for fame to be called the birthplace of goat cheese, but traditionally it is considered a French product. The benefits and harms of goat cheese have been known to nutritionists for a long time, but it has not yet received wide distribution. Some people are alarmed by its unusual texture, color and taste features. Others are not ready to pay the declared amounts for the product, and the product is really not cheap. If it is possible to introduce a dish unique in its properties into the diet, it is definitely worth doing.

Composition and features of goat cheese

Today, goat cheese is prepared according to the same recipes as many years ago. As the name implies, its basis is represented by goat's milk. Products can be hard, soft and curd. No less popular options with mold. Regardless of the variety, a slight characteristic sharpness should be present in the taste of the product.

Tip: When choosing goat cheese, first of all, attention should be paid to the color of the product. For a real product, it can only be white, because. it lacks beta-carotene. The presence of any shade may indicate the use of dyes or additional ingredients that do not match the recipe.

Given the fact that 100 g of goat cheese contains no more than 290 kcal, it can be a component diet food. In general, according to nutritionists, it is the goat version of cheese that is the optimal type. fermented milk product during the diet period. It has a balanced composition that allows the body not to experience stress in its pronounced form.

In the composition of goat cheese, the following substances can be distinguished:

• Lots of protein and healthy fats. The minimum level of carbohydrates.
• Vitamins A, groups B, C, E, PP and H.
• Minerals calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, manganese and copper.

The composition of goat cheese may vary slightly depending on the characteristics of its variety. Most useful substances in a homemade product made exclusively from natural ingredients. It is not so difficult to make such a preparation, you just need to find a source of high-quality goat milk.

Health benefits of goat cheese

Today, nutritionists are trying to systematize knowledge about goat cheese, to compare its positive and negative sides. In particular, its benefits and harms for the elderly, children, and pregnant women are carefully considered. According to experts, regular use a product prepared taking into account all the technical aspects can give the following results:

• The mass has a low calorie content and is well absorbed. It does not have as many saturated fatty acids as in other types and varieties of cheeses. This allows the body to get everything it needs and not feel hungry.
• There is no cholesterol in goat's milk and the cheese obtained from it. Such products are not prohibited for people suffering from atherosclerosis or increased blood pressure. It does not contribute to the formation of new plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
• Vitamins and minerals, which are rich in goat cheese, have a positive effect on the condition of bone tissue, blood composition, acid-base and water balance s. The use of the product leads to the normalization of the heart rhythm, the strengthening of the vascular walls.
• The nutritional mass is rich in probiotics. Beneficial bacteria facilitate the process of digestion, speeding it up. This helps to cleanse the intestines and restore the strength of the immune system.

• The inclusion of goat cheese in the diet activates the metabolism. Against the background of an accelerated metabolism, fats are broken down faster and the body gets rid of unnecessary deposits.
• A fermented milk product is also useful for women. It dulls inflammatory processes, alleviates the condition during menstruation and menopause. Entry into the body beneficial bacteria reduces the risk of developing vaginitis and candidiasis.
• In durum goat cheese, vitamin D is present in especially large volumes. This substance is necessary to maintain muscles, bones and skin in optimal condition. It reduces the likelihood of heart problems and prevents osteoporosis.
• Cheese made from goat's milk, unlike its counterparts, can fight carcinogens that inevitably enter the bodies of adults and children. Due to this, tissues age more slowly, malignant formations do not form.
• Goat cheese has another rare property. If you eat it constantly, albeit in small quantities, gum problems will go away and bad smell from the mouth, caries will appear less often.

The indisputable advantage of this type of product over analogues is its hypoallergenicity. People suffering from cow's milk intolerance can safely try these products. Their intolerance is extremely rare.

Harm of goat cheese and contraindications

The richest in substances necessary for the body, i.e. the healthiest is raw goat cheese that has not been pasteurized. Today, there is debate about the potential danger of such a product due to the likelihood of the presence of salmonella and other pathogens in it. Experts say that the influence of probiotics is enough to destroy all potential dangers. And it is also worth noting that goats do not suffer from salmonellosis, oncology and other diseases common in the animal world. It turns out that even raw goat cheese is safe for humans.

Harm can only be caused by an improperly prepared or spoiled product. In this case, the reaction of the body can be quite violent, as with any food poisoning. When buying cheese, be sure to pay attention to the date of its manufacture and expiration date. Such products are stored exclusively in the refrigerator.

As for contraindications, the use of goat cheese will have to be abandoned for gout, peptic ulcer and gastritis. A rather high acidity of the product can cause an exacerbation of the condition. The ban does not apply to pregnant and lactating women. But in case of a tendency to allergies, it is better to consult a gynecologist, allergist or pediatrician about this.

Types and rules for choosing goat cheese

When buying goat cheese, you need to pay attention not only to its color, but also to the cost. The product cannot be cheap, so any promotions and commercial offers should alert. Sometimes manufacturers try to reduce the cost of the mass, for which cow's milk is mixed into it. Sometimes additional ingredients make up to 50% of the volume of the product, which minimizes its therapeutic properties. To avoid mistakes, you need to choose products labeled "per chevres".

You can count on the highest quality when buying French goat cheese. Each region of this country has its own approach to cooking a delicacy, so you should try several options to determine the best one. Do not be afraid if the recipe for the dish is very specific, but appearance delicacy is not in his favor. Usually, under a dense crust, a delicate texture is hidden with mild taste and pleasant aftertaste.

Do not rate benefit of goat cheese impossible.

Firstly, goat's milk cheese is better digested than cow's. Secondly, it contains a large number of beneficial bacteria that will not only help restore work gastrointestinal tract, but also contribute to the establishment of metabolic processes in the body. In addition, the benefit of goat milk cheese is that it is absolutely hypoallergenic. For people who are allergic to all products made from cow's milk (milk, cheeses, etc.), it is simply irreplaceable.

goat cheese flavor tends to be more delicate and flavorful. Goat milk cheese contains very little sugar. And compared to cheese made from cow's milk, it contains much more useful and nutrients, because the goat is much more selective in its diet.

Store goat cheese it must be hermetically sealed and refrigerated, otherwise it will quickly absorb the smells of all other products. Soft goat cheese can be stored for about 2 weeks, hard varieties of goat cheese can be stored for 2 to 3 months.

Culinary goat cheese applied as independent dish(e.g. spreading a tender mass on a bun fresh bread) or as additional ingredient to salads.

B		Banon- round soft French goat cheese of small sizes, it is always sold wrapped in chestnut leaves.
		- cheese made from sheep's milk, sometimes from a mixture of sheep's milk with goat's, aged in brine.
IN		Valencay- French goat cheese in the form of a pyramid, sprinkled with wood ash. It has the shape of a squat pyramid weighing 220 grams. Under the crust - the most delicate pulp, slightly sweetish and reeking of hazelnuts. The taste of hazelnut, mixed with the aroma of wood ash, remains in the mouth for a long time. > >
TO		(Coeur de Chevre)- in translation means "goat's heart". It is made in the shape of a small heart weighing about 150 grams. Depending on the ripening period, the pulp can take on different shades - from pale white to bluish. The cheese is very tender and non-aggressive. There are small grains in the pulp.
M		Manchego (Manchego)- hard goat cheese from Spain with a greenish rind, which is aged in brine for several months.
P		Pastor- goat or sheep Spanish hard cheese.
		Pelardon (Pelardon)- French soft goat cheese with a sharp flavor.
		Picodon (Picodon)- traditional French goat cheese in the form of a small round (the French say 'washers') with a diameter of only 7 cm and a thickness of 1 to 3 cm, with a sweet-salty-sour taste.
		(Pouligny-Saint-Pierre)- the French call this goat cheese with a bluish crust ‘ eiffel tower’ for an elongated pyramidal shape.
R		Rocamadour
WITH		Selles-sur-Cher- French soft goat cheese with a dark crust covered with coal dust.
		(Saint-maure-de-touraine)- French goat cheese in the form of a cylindrical log, through the center of which a long straw passes for ventilation. Historical documents indicate that the tradition of making this cheese originated in the era of the Carolingians, that is, in the 8th-9th centuries.
T		Tangy- a very specific blue (with mold) cheese made from goat's milk.
W		Chabichou du Poitou- French goat cheese. The flesh is ivory in color. The crust is covered with white mold, often with a grayish-blue tint.
		Chavignole or crotin de chavignole (Chavignol)- French soft goat cheese.
		Chavroux- French soft goat cheese.

Among the dairy products traditionally popular, cheeses are sure to be presented. They are made from various kinds milk - cow, goat and others. Goat cheese is popular due to its hypoallergenicity, unusual soft texture and organoleptic properties. When planning a family's diet, questions about the benefits of this product for the body and its differences with cow's become relevant, which will be discussed later in the article.

Calorie content and chemical composition

It should be noted that the calorie content directly depends on the fat content of the presented product.

With this in mind, cheeses are divided into:

• fat-free (20%);
• lungs (20-30%);
• normal (40-50%);
• double fat (60-75%);
• triple fat content (more than 75%).

Calorie tables most often give indicators indicating the percentage of fat or a normal type of cheese (50%) is taken as the basis. Calorie content - 364 kcal / 100 g of product.

Nutritional value per 100 g:

• proteins - 21.6;
• fats - 29.8;
• carbohydrates - 0.1;
• water - 45.5.

Fats are the main source of energy for the body. They form protective layers internal organs, deliver fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, K to the body. 100 g of goat cheese contains 45% of fat daily allowance. The protein content in the same amount of the product is 26% of the daily requirement.

The vitamin and mineral content of goat cheese is higher than that of the same product made from cow's milk. Its proteins and fats are better absorbed by the body, so it is definitely recommended in baby food. The lactose content is minimal, so the product is useful for people with lactose allergy.

Important!It is recommended to feed the child with cheese or dishes from it in the evening meal. The casein contained in it is completely absorbed in 6 hours, so the body does not feel hunger. This will ensure your baby has a restful sleep.

Benefits of goat cheese

The diet of a goat affects the quality, vitamin and mineral composition milk, along with cheese. Taste is also affected by various spices, additives and manufacturing methods.

Video: the benefits of goat cheese Nutritionists and doctors note the following beneficial features product:

• better absorbed by the body due to the fact that the molecules of fat in goat's milk are smaller and the amount of fat in it is less than in products from cow's milk;
• its proteins are well balanced in amino acid composition;
• improves intestinal microflora, promoting the development of beneficial microorganisms;

• contains less cholesterol and more calcium. Can be used in various medicinal purposes as a component of the diet for patients recovering from operations and with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

For adult men and women

For male body Several properties of the product are important:

• high content of vitamin A (45% daily allowance) has a positive effect on the reproductive function of the body;
• protein is required to increase muscle mass and useful for both athletes and manual workers;
• the available calcium and phosphorus contribute to the growth and strengthening of the bones of the skeleton.

These properties make the product extremely useful for men. In addition, its mineral composition contributes to the prevention of pathologies of the genitourinary system.

Did you know?In the intestine, lactose breaks down into galactose and glucose. An important property galactose is low glycemic index, which allows us to recommend cheese to athletes or manual laborers, as well as those involved in enterprises with harmful working conditions.

The benefit for women is the low calorie content of the product. It is especially useful for pregnant and lactating women, because. provides the body with proteins, vitamins, macro- and microelements, as well as a balanced composition of amino acids. Easily digestible cheese is recommended by nutritionists in diets for weight loss and weight normalization.

The product also has other useful properties for a woman:

• Vitamin D contained in it helps to restore the skin, improves its condition;
• proteins render positive influence on the condition of hair and nails;
• active ingredients accelerate and normalize metabolic processes and accelerate fat burning.

For the elderly

The body of an elderly person suffers from a natural deterioration of the hematopoietic system and pathologies of cardio-vascular system. B vitamins take part in redox reactions, improve the condition of blood vessels, eliminate pathologies in the work of the heart, and reduce the risk of heart attack.

Did you know?The hypoallergenic qualities make goat cheese popular among those who are allergic to lactose. Participating in the metabolic processes of the body, it becomes indispensable for improving the functioning of the intestines, the cardiovascular system and the musculoskeletal system.

A large amount of copper promotes the metabolism of iron, stimulates the absorption of proteins and carbohydrates. This allows you to improve the supply of body cells with oxygen, prevents blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol plaques.

The product is a source of calcium, maintains the normal state of the musculoskeletal system. It is also useful in that it prevents the destruction of bone tissue, and in case of injury, it accelerates the recovery of the body.

For children

Useful microorganisms that make up the cheese help to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the rapid digestion of food. Its fats and proteins are easier and faster absorbed by the child's body. Goat cheese can be given for breakfast or dinner.

Did you know? Presumably, the technology for producing soft cheese was discovered by ancient people due to chance. Humans used the stomachs of ungulates to store milk. The fermentation-causing bacteria influenced it, forming curds and whey.

Being a source of calcium, it strengthens and develops the baby's skeletal system. It also prevents the destruction of bones, keeps teeth and hair in order.

Contraindications and harm

A feature that affects the presence of contraindications is the high acidity of the product. Therefore, it is not recommended for people with ulcers, gastritis with high acidity, inflammatory bowel processes in the acute phase.

Important!The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA) strongly discourages women who are expecting a child from using soft varieties cheese. The reason is the risk of contracting bacterial infections, which can be harmful to the health of the baby.

In such situations, the use of cheese in small doses is possible if the disease is in remission.

How to make homemade goat cheese

Homemade cheese is made by organizing fermentation and is available at home. Such natural product will be especially useful in the diet.

For its manufacture you will need:

• milk container;
• kitchen thermometer;
• colander;
• container or form for pressing;
• press;
• gauze for cheese.

Ingredients:

• goat milk - 5 l;
• water - 0.5 cups;
• ¼ sachet of Meito enzyme or any other, according to the dosage indicated on the package;
• citric acid - 0.5 d. spoons;
• cardamom - ¼ teaspoon for flavor;

Manufacturing instructions:

1. Place the milk in an enameled or stainless steel saucepan.
2. Pour in citric acid.
   
3. Mix thoroughly and leave for 5 minutes.
   
4. Heat over medium heat until warm (not higher than +36 ° C).
5. Pour the enzyme into boiled water (+26 °C), according to the instructions for the mass, and stir.
   
6. Pour the solution into the milk and mix thoroughly.
   
7. Leave to curdle for a few hours.
8. Add spices - cardamom or others for flavor.
   
9. Cut the formed clot with a knife into small fragments without removing the raw material from the pan, for better whey separation during pressing.
   
10. Leave the raw material for an hour so that the grain stands in the whey.
    
11. Drain 1/3 of the whey from the pan.
    
12. Warm contents to 40°C to increase product density.
    
13. Drain the whey with a colander.
    
14. Put the cheese in gauze and place under the press in the form.
    
15. Leave it in the mold under pressure for 3 hours.
16. Remove the head of cheese from the mold and gauze.
    
17. In 1 l boiled water dissolve 3 tbsp. tablespoons of salt and place a head of cheese in this solution.
18. After 2-3 hours, remove the product - it is ready for use.

Placement of the product in saline solution increases its shelf life. The holding time may vary. Yes, traditional Greek cheese Feta is made using the same technology, but from sheep's milk, and is kept in brine for up to 3 months.

If you overexpose it in brine, it will become more salty. If desired, excess salt can be removed by holding the cheese head in mineral water.

Dairy products are good for the body. And home-cooked goat's milk cheese also has high quality. Contraindications to its use are minimal. It can be recommended to both adults and children.

Classic goat cheese is a fermented milk product that has a savory taste. spicy taste. Comparing it with other homemade cheeses, it is worth noting the strong aroma and delicate texture, thanks to which it melts in the mouth.

In cooking, goat cheese is added to almost all dishes. hard varieties most often combined with fig jam. It is served with tea, coffee and wine. This delicacy is considered a delicacy in many countries due to its piquant taste and pleasant aroma.

Goat's milk differs from cow's milk in the absence of carotene, due to which it gives cheese exclusively White color. The main features of goat cheese include the fact that it does not cause allergic reactions. It can be safely introduced into the diet baby since eight months.

The calorie content of products made from goat's milk is low: it is 290 kilocalories per 100 grams of product. Therefore, it is goat cheese that is the optimal type. dairy products during the period of a debilitating diet.

It also differs low content saturated fats. Natural goat's milk is white in color, unlike the creamy hue of cow's milk.

Useful properties of goat cheese

Thanks to various additives and technologies for making cheese has various tastes. The benefits and harms of goat cheese are very different from products that are made on the basis of cow's milk.

First of all, this is observed in a smaller amount of fats, calories, cholesterol. So this delicacy will be a good choice for those who are losing weight or just watching their weight.

The benefit of such cheese is also that it is much easier to digest, compared to cow's. Due to the similarity of fat cells to human ones, it does not create a burden on the digestive system.

This fermented milk product contains more than a hundred species of bacteria that fight pathogenic microbes and viruses. Thanks to their healing properties it is actively used in folk medicine.

The use of this delicacy will be a good prevention of colon cancer, normalizes blood pressure, as well as the functioning of the nervous system.

Due to the low content of sodium and cholesterol, it is recommended for use by people who suffer from heart disease and are also prone to diabetes.

This type of cheese is quickly absorbed in the body, while bringing no small benefit:

• helps speed up the metabolic process;
• burns fat cells;
• helps to solve problems of the genitourinary system;
• strengthens the immune system;
• reduces pain during menstruation.

An important plus is that goat cheese is a hypoallergenic product. This means that absolutely everyone can include it in their diet, even allergy sufferers.

Nutritionists systematized all the knowledge about goat cheese, compared its positive and negative sides. We carefully considered its benefits and harms for children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Experts concluded that by regularly using this product, you can expect the following results:

• low content of fatty acids allows you to get enough without feeling hungry for a long time;
• helps lower blood pressure;
• positive effect on bone tissue, water balance, blood composition;
• helps to normalize the heart rhythm, strengthen the walls of blood vessels;
• cleanses the intestines, restores the strength of the immune system;
• helps to activate metabolism;
• reduces the level of pain during menopause;
• reduces the risk of developing candidiasis, vaginitis;
• serves as a prevention of osteoporosis;
• eliminates an unpleasant smell in a mouth, fights against caries.

How to choose and store

When buying goat cheese, it is worth remembering a few simple rules:

1. The product is produced only in summer, late spring and early autumn.
2. France is the leader in the production of goat cheese and supplies it to different corners peace.
3. The 100% quality of the product is evidenced by the following inscription on the packaging: "pur chevres".

Pay attention to the cost, a natural product is not cheap and any discount should alert the buyer.

Keep this species fermented milk product is in the refrigerator at the closest freezer shelf in a sealed container. This will preserve the useful properties of the product. If there is no package, wrap it cling film to protect against the penetration of unwanted foreign odors.

There are many varieties of goat cheese. They are both soft and hard. Soft delight with their airy curd mass. A hard cheeses can have under their dense shell a pleasant tender mass that just melts in your mouth.

The soft variety keeps its freshness for about two weeks, and the hard one for three whole months. To increase the shelf life, the product can be placed in the freezer.

Whatever the type of cheese, it will become great snack to the banquet good ingredient for salad, sauce or other savory dish.

How to cook at home

The classic product does not need additives. Its recipe is very simple:

1. You need to take sour naturally goat milk, heat over low heat, then add fresh milk to it.
2. Cook over low heat until a thick mass forms. Then remove this mass from the whey, put it in a colander.
3. Mix in a separate bowl butter with yolks, add salt, soda.
4. Combine this mixture with the resulting curd mass, put on a small fire and cook for about 15 minutes.
5. Squeeze out the curd mass thoroughly and put it under the press until fully ripened.

The result should be soft cheese with a soft creamy taste.

Contraindications

The richest in essential substances for the body is considered to be goat cheese, which has not undergone the pasteurization process. Scientists are arguing about the potential dangers of this method of production, since the raw product is very likely to contain salmonella.

But at the same time, it is worth remembering that goats do not suffer from oncology, salmonellosis and other no less dangerous diseases characteristic of animals. It turns out that goat cheese, even raw, is safe for the human body.

Only a spoiled or improperly prepared product can harm. The reaction of the body will be quite violent, as in food poisoning.

To avoid spoilage, the product should be in the refrigerator and removed no earlier than an hour before serving.

It is important to remember that the delicacy has a high acidity, which is why it is contraindicated in the following diseases;

• ulcer,
• gout,
• gastritis.

Conclusion

Dairy products prepared on the basis of goat's milk have long been included in the diet of many people. Their healing properties are very high, and contraindications for use are minimal.

The beneficial composition has a fruitful effect on the work of the internal organs of a person. Goat cheese is recommended for use by infants, pregnant and lactating women, and the elderly.

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