Sheep Milk Cheeses from Portugal

Discover cheeses made from sheep milk in Portugal, from historic recipes to contemporary creations.

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Queijo de Azeitão

Queijo de Azeitão is a traditional cheese from Portugal, specifically produced in the Palmela, Setúbal, and Sesimbra councils. It is a matured cheese made from raw sheep's milk, cardoon preparation, and salt. The cheese has a distinctive shape, being a …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Sheep
Texture: Semi-Soft
Flavor: Slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty

Queijo Serra da Estrela

Queijo Serra da Estrela is a traditional cheese from Portugal, specifically protected under the designation of origin (PDO). It is made from raw ewe's milk from the Bordaleira Serra da Estrela and Churra Mondegueira breeds. The cheese uses the cardoon …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Sheep
Texture: Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho)
Flavor: Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho)

Queijo Serpa

Queijo Serpa is a traditional cheese made from ewe's milk. It is known for its buttery, semi-soft consistency and is produced in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The cheese is made using raw ewe's milk, which is coagulated with cardoon, …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Sheep
Texture: Buttery, semi-soft consistency
Flavor: Almost fermented, sweet and bitter

Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco is a rich, creamy cheese made from sheep's milk in the region of Beira Baixa, Portugal. It has a slightly tangy, robust flavor and a semi-soft texture. This cheese is traditionally cured in salt, which enhances its distinctive …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Goat's and sheep's milk
Texture: Semisoft to hard
Flavor: Sour, spicy, tangy

Zimbro

Zimbro is a soft, artisan cheese from Portugal made from unpasteurized sheep's milk. It has a pale yellow color and a washed rind, contributing to its clean aroma. The cheese offers a sweet flavor with herbal notes, making it a …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Sheep's milk
Texture: Soft, artisan
Flavor: Herbaceous, sweet

Rabacal

Rabaçal is a semi-hard cheese made from a blend of goat's and sheep's milk, originating in the Region of Coimbra, Portugal. It has a natural rind and a smooth flavor profile. The cheese is typically white in color and carries …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Goat's and sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, artisan
Flavor: Smooth

Bica de Queijo

Bica de Queijo is a semi-soft, artisan cheese from Póvoa de Lanhoso in Portugal. It is crafted using a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's unpasteurized milk, giving it a rich and creamy texture. With a 45% fat content, the …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-soft, artisan
Flavor: Buttery, mild, salty

Amarelo de Beira Baixa

Amarelo de Beira Baixa is a semi-firm cheese originating from the Beira Baixa Province in Portugal. Made from unpasteurized goat's or sheep's milk, it features a rich yellow color. The cheese has an acidic flavor profile, offering a tangy taste …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-firm, artisan
Flavor: Acidic

Evora De L'Alentejo

Evora De L'Alentejo is a semi-hard cheese made from unpasteurized sheep's milk in the Alentejo region of Portugal. This artisan cheese is known for its pale yellow color and natural rind. It has an acidic and spicy flavor, which gives …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, artisan
Flavor: Acidic, spicy

Alverca

Alverca is a semi-hard cheese from Portugal, made from either goat's or sheep's milk. The cheese undergoes a pasteurization process and has a fat content ranging from 40-50%. It is aged for about six months, which contributes to its firm …

Country: Portugal
Milk Type: Goat's or sheep's milk
Texture: Semi-hard

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