Afuega'l Pitu Cheese vs Roquefort Cheese

Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is a semi-soft cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Roquefort Cheese is semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

What Is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese?

Afuega'l pitu is an unpasteurized cow's milk cheese from Asturias in northern Spain, sold plain white or paprika red. Its name translates as "strangle the chicken," and it holds Protected Designation of Origin status from Spain and the EU.

What Is Roquefort Cheese?

Roquefort is a blue cheese made from raw Lacaune sheep's milk in southern France. Only cheese ripened in the natural Combalou caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon may carry the name. It is tangy and creamy, with no rind and a sharp bite from the blue veins.

What's the Difference Between Afuega'l Pitu Cheese and Roquefort Cheese?

• Origin: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (Spain), Roquefort Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (Cow's milk), Roquefort Cheese (Sheep's milk)
• Texture: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (Semi-soft), Roquefort Cheese (Semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined)
• Rind: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (White soft and rough in briefly ripened cheeses; moist, yellowish brown with moldy blue or white areas in ripened cheeses), Roquefort Cheese (none)
• Aging: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (Fresh to mid-ripened), Roquefort Cheese (Minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months)
• Taste: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese (Lactic, slightly sour, salted in fresh or hardly ripened cheeses; strong and spicy as ripening progresses), Roquefort Cheese (Mild to strong)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Afuega'l Pitu Cheese Taste Like Roquefort Cheese?

Afuega'l Pitu Cheese reads as lactic, slightly sour, salted in fresh or hardly ripened cheeses; strong and spicy as ripening progresses, while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong character. More specifically, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese shows sweet or hot spanish paprika in the roxu (red) version, while Roquefort Cheese leans toward buttercream smooth to salty and sharp. Aging plays into this as well. Afuega'l Pitu Cheese at fresh to mid-ripened develops a different profile than Roquefort Cheese at minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Can You Substitute Afuega'l Pitu Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

Afuega'l Pitu Cheese can stand in for Roquefort Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined. Flavor-wise, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese reads as lactic, slightly sour, salted in fresh or hardly ripened cheeses; strong and spicy as ripening progresses while Roquefort Cheese brings mild to strong notes.

Which Is Better, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Afuega'l Pitu Cheese. For a semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined profile, Roquefort Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese suits recipes that want lactic, slightly sour, salted in fresh or hardly ripened cheeses; strong and spicy as ripening progresses notes, while Roquefort Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese the same as Roquefort Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Afuega'l Pitu Cheese originates in Spain, while Roquefort Cheese comes from France. Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is made from cow milk; Roquefort Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is typically aged fresh to mid-ripened, Roquefort Cheese minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months.

Is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese similar to Roquefort Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Afuega'l Pitu Cheese for Roquefort Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Afuega'l Pitu Cheese taste like Roquefort Cheese?

Afuega'l Pitu Cheese reads as lactic, slightly sour, salted in fresh or hardly ripened cheeses; strong and spicy as ripening progresses, while Roquefort Cheese is mild to strong.

What is Afuega'l Pitu Cheese made of?

Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using very small amounts of calf rennet. It's typically aged fresh to mid-ripened. It originates in Spain.

What is Roquefort Cheese made of?

Roquefort Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum of 90 days, average of 5 months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Afuega'l Pitu Cheese or Roquefort Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Afuega'l Pitu Cheese is semi-soft, while Roquefort Cheese is semi-soft, creamy, blue-veined.