Do you want to try your hand at making your own goat cheese? Choosing the right type of goat milk is a critical part of maximising your cheese yield. Read on to learn which goat breeds will give you the best cheese yield per 100kg.
SEE ALSO: What does goat cheese actually taste like? →
How we calculate cheese yield
To calculate the yield of cheese, we used the Van Slyke yield equation. And for the sake of this comparison, we used the average fat and casein content in the milk for each breed of dairy goats.
Moreover, as indicated by the Van Slyke equation, the moisture content of the cheese affects overall yield. So, all of our calculations are based on making a Goat Milk Cheese with 36% moisture.
Finally, I need to point out that this post is comparing cheese yield from 100kg of goat milk across 13 different breeds. It does not take into account the average annual milk production for every breed.
Yield of Cheddar per 100kg of milk by breed
Nigerian Dwarf (15.81 kg)
We kick off our list with the Nigerian Dwarf. This goat breed originates from Nigeria in Africa (no surprise there) and are quite small in size. Even though their annual milk production is quite low (360kg), their milk is incredibly high in butterfat and casein protein.
As a result, they demonstrate the highest cheese yield per 100kg of milk (15.81kg).
Malagueña (13.04kg)
As its name indicates, the Malagueña goat comes from Málaga in Spain. The breed originates from two separate ancient breeds, the Pyrenean goat and the Maltese goat (we’ll get back to this one a little later).
Malagueña goats have a low annual milk production but their milk is very rich in butterfat. Thanks to a 5.49% fat content, Malagueña milk will yield 13.04kg of Cheddar per 100kg of milk.
Nubian (12.39kg)
The African breed Nubian has a very high butterfat content in their milk. Indeed, this breed is equally well-known and loved for their rich, sweet milk and their adorable floppy ears.
Nubian goats have a high annual milk production and also produce milk that is high in fat (4.9%) and protein. As such, Nubian milk is a great option if you want to try to make your own cheese.
Damascus (11.97kg)
Also known as Aleppo, Halep, Shami or Chami, Damascus goats come from Middle Eastern countries such as Syria. Actually, they are a good producer of both milk and meat. Their annual milk production is one of the lowest on this list (378kg) but their milk is rich in fat and protein.
As a result, the average Cheddar yield per 100kg of Damascus milk is around 11.97kg.
Canaria (11.04kg)
Canaria goats are a Spanish breed that come from the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. The locals call this breed Cabra Majorera and make a cheese called Majorero with their milk.
Overall, their annual milk production is very low (183kg) but their milk has a fat content of 3.96%. Moreover, the protein content of 3.72% is one of the highest on this list.
Alpine (10.01kg)
Alpine goats originated in the mountainous region of the French Alps. They are beloved for their mellow disposition and high levels of milk production. Moreover, their milk is sweet and expresses the subtle qualities of their diet.
LaMancha (9.94kg)
As you’ve probably guessed from their name, the lineage of LaMancha goats can be traced back to Spain and Africa. However, this breed has been developed in the United States specifically for cheesemaking. LaMancha goats produce a very rich milk with around 3.7% butterfat.
Saanen (9.77kg)
The Saanen is a Swiss breed of goats that originated in the Saane Valley. Presently, it is the most popular dairy goat breed in many countries around the world. Saanen does are heavy milk producers with around 3.3% fat and 3.55% protein content.
Oberhasli (9.68kg)
Oberhasli goats are another dairy breed from Switzerland. Even though their annual milk production is a bit on the low side, the fat and protein content ensure a very decent yield of cheese. Indeed, you can expect around 9.68kg of Cheddar per 100kg of Oberhasli milk.
Toggenburg (8.59kg)
Finally, Toggenburg is another Swiss breed of dairy goats. As a matter of fact, this is one of the oldest breeds and get their name from their home region in Switzerland. They are very popular thanks to their consistent milk production and above average butterfat content.
Which goat milk should you buy to make cheese?
As you can see, there are many different types of goat milk that you can use to efficiently make cheese. The yield we have calculated is specifically for Cheddar. But you can use the numbers as a guide if you want to make different types of cheese.
Have you made your own goat cheese before? Drop us a comment below to let us know which milk you used.
References
Dairy Goat Production: 2019 DHIR data
IOP Science: Breakdown of Saanen, Alpine & Nubian
M.M. Ferro et al: Lactation & Milk Yield Goat/Sheep
T & F Online: Chemical Composition of 5 Goat Breeds
Dairy Science: Yield calculator
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
