Did you know that August is National Goat Cheese Month? In case you didn’t know, here is your chance to indulge. The American Cheese Society launched National Goat Cheese Month in 1998 to “promote the benefits of cooking with goat cheese.” Domesticated around 9000 years ago, goats provided humans with milk, cheese, and meat to eat; wool or hair and hides to use for clothing. Goat cheese originated in the Mediterranean areas and in the Middle East. Today goat cheeses are produced all over the world. Goat cheese comes in many flavors and textures and is known for its tangy rich flavor. In the U.S., feta is probably the most known goat cheese. Other goat cheeses you might recognize are Humboldt Fog (made in California), Garrotxa, a Spanish cheese, Chevre, which means goat in French and Gjetost, a Norwegian cheese.
Goat cheese is lower in fat, cholesterol and calories than cow’s milk cheese. It is also more easily digested.
Chad Jankord from Lennox took this photograph. He entered it in the 4-H Photography contest at the 1989 South Dakota State Fair. The photo was selected for a special award and was exhibited at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum during summer 1990.