National Goat Cheese Month
August 1 - August 31
About National Goat Cheese Month
National Goat Cheese Month runs throughout August 2026, celebrating one of the oldest and most versatile cheeses known to humankind. Established by the American Cheese Society in 1998, the month-long observance encourages people across the United States to taste, cook with, and appreciate goat cheese, also known by its French name, chèvre. It is a tribute to artisan creameries, small farms, and the distinctive tangy flavour that sets goat cheese apart.
How to Celebrate National Goat Cheese Month
August is the perfect excuse to get adventurous in the kitchen and support the producers behind this beloved cheese. Here are plenty of ways to take part:
- Visit a local creamery – Seek out a nearby goat dairy or artisan cheesemaker. Many offer tours, tastings, and the chance to meet the goats whose milk makes it all possible.
- Host a goat cheese tasting – Gather friends and sample a range of styles, from soft and spreadable fresh chèvre to aged, crumbly varieties. Pair them with honey, figs, walnuts, and crusty bread.
- Cook a new recipe – Try goat cheese stuffed into chicken breasts, whipped into a dip, baked into a savoury tart, or simply crumbled over a salad. Its tang lifts almost any dish.
- Bake with chèvre – Fold soft goat cheese into cheesecakes, scones, or quiche for a richer, more complex flavour than cream cheese alone.
- Pair it with wine – Goat cheese is famously friendly with crisp white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc. Set up a pairing evening and compare notes.
- Shop your farmers’ market – Buy directly from small producers to support local agriculture and discover seasonal, small-batch cheeses you will not find in a supermarket.
- Make your own – Fresh goat cheese is one of the simplest cheeses to make at home, needing only goat’s milk, an acid such as lemon juice, and a little patience.
- Share online – Post your creations and recommendations to spread the word and help artisan creameries reach a wider audience.
What is National Goat Cheese Month?
National Goat Cheese Month is an annual American food observance dedicated to celebrating goat’s milk cheese in all its forms. It is championed by the American Cheese Society, the leading organisation for cheese professionals and enthusiasts in North America. The month spotlights both large and small producers and aims to introduce more people to a cheese that is lower in lactose than many cow’s milk varieties and prized for its fresh, tangy character.
When is National Goat Cheese Month?
National Goat Cheese Month takes place every August, beginning on Saturday, 1 August 2026 and running through to Monday, 31 August. It has been observed annually since 1998, always occupying the full month of August.
The History of National Goat Cheese Month
The American Cheese Society launched National Goat Cheese Month in 1998 to raise awareness of the variety, flavour, and culinary potential of goat’s milk cheese. August was chosen deliberately. By late summer, goats have spent months grazing on fresh forage, wild herbs, and berries, and their milk is at its richest. The cheese produced from it carries a deeper, more complex flavour, making August the ideal time to celebrate.
While the observance is relatively modern, the cheese it honours is ancient. Goat cheese is widely believed to be one of the earliest dairy products ever made, with origins stretching back thousands of years to the Mediterranean and Middle East, where goats were among the first animals to be domesticated. Nomadic peoples discovered that milk stored in containers made from animal stomachs would curdle, and from that happy accident came cheese.
In the decades since the observance began, the American artisan cheese movement has flourished. Hundreds of small creameries now produce award-winning goat cheeses, and National Goat Cheese Month has grown alongside that revival, giving producers a dedicated moment each year to showcase their craft. If you enjoy these culinary celebrations, you might also like Goat Cheese Day in June, which honours the same cheese with a single-day spotlight.
Fun Facts About National Goat Cheese Month
- The American Cheese Society has championed the observance every August since 1998.
- Goat cheese is generally lower in lactose than cow’s milk cheese, making it easier to digest for some people.
- Chèvre is the French word for goat, and is used worldwide to describe fresh goat’s milk cheese.
- Goat cheese can be enjoyed fresh and soft, semi-aged, or fully matured into firm, crumbly wheels.
- The distinctive tang of goat cheese comes from capric, caprylic, and caproic fatty acids, all named after the Latin word for goat, capra.
- Goat cheese predates ancient Greece, making it one of the oldest cheeses on Earth.
Why National Goat Cheese Month Matters
Beyond the pleasure of the food itself, the month supports small farms and artisan producers who keep traditional cheesemaking skills alive. Choosing goat cheese during August is a simple way to back local agriculture, sustainable farming, and a craft that has been practised for millennia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Goat Cheese Month?
It is an annual American observance held every August to celebrate goat’s milk cheese, established by the American Cheese Society in 1998 to promote its flavour and culinary versatility.
When is National Goat Cheese Month in 2026?
It runs for the whole of August 2026, from Saturday, 1 August to Monday, 31 August.
Why is goat cheese celebrated in August?
August was chosen because goats have grazed on fresh summer forage for months, producing milk at its richest and cheese at its most flavourful.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best goat cheese dishes on social media with #NationalGoatCheeseMonth and #GoatCheeseMonth2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to try a new chèvre recipe this August!
Related Awareness Days
- Goat Cheese Day – A single-day celebration of the same beloved cheese, held in June each year.
- National Cheese Day – A broader tribute to cheeses of every kind.
- English Wine Week – A natural pairing for any cheese lover looking to match flavours.
Links
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