American Cheese vs Queso Manchego

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about American Cheese and Queso Manchego, including:

• "What is the difference between American Cheese and Queso Manchego?"
• "Is American Cheese and Queso Manchego the same?"
• "How does American Cheese compare to Queso Manchego cheese?"
• "How does the taste of American Cheese compare to Queso Manchego?"
• "Is American Cheese or Queso Manchego better?"

American Cheese Overview

A staple in American cuisine, this processed cheese is known for its excellent melting properties and smooth texture. American cheese is typically mild and creamy, designed to be versatile in dishes like burgers and grilled sandwiches. It's available in various colors and flavors, tailored to suit different tastes and recipes.

Queso Manchego Overview

Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

American Cheese comes from United States. Queso Manchego originated from Spain.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. American is not a protected cheese. Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996).

Milk Type and Treatment

American Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Queso Manchego is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

American's texture can be described as "semi-soft, processed". Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".

Taste and Aroma

American's aroma can be described as "mild". Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste.

Appearance and Aging

American Cheese's appearance is colored yellow . Queso Manchego has a color of white to yellowish ivory , comes in cylindrical with flat faces and has an aging period of fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) .

Rind and Rennet Type

American Cheese's rind is described as rindless . Queso Manchego's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints , with animal rennet.

Ranking

American is ranked #103 out of 996 types based on community views. Queso Manchego is ranked #28 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the American and Queso Manchego pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a semi-soft, processed cheese, go for American. But if you enjoy a compact consistency, Queso Manchego might be the better pick.

Compare American Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Queso Manchego to Other Cheeses