Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese vs Cabrales Cheese

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is a unctuous and creamy cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Spain.

What Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese?

Arzúa-Ulloa is a soft cow's milk cheese from Galicia, Spain, protected as Arzúa-A Ulloa PDO. It is known for a thin yellow rind, a creamy pale paste, and a mild flavor that is slightly sweet and grassy.

What Is Cabrales Cheese?

Cabrales is a blue cheese made by rural dairy farmers in the Asturias mountains of Spain, from raw cow's milk alone or blended with goat and sheep milk. It is known for its strong, sometimes sharply acidic flavor and for ripening in limestone caves.

What's the Difference Between Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese and Cabrales Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Raw or Pasteurized), Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Unctuous and creamy), Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes)
• Rind: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (thin and pliant, smooth), Cabrales Cheese (Natural)
• Aging: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (At least 6 days), Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months)
• Taste: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes), Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese Taste Like Cabrales Cheese?

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese reads as slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes, while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant character. More specifically, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese shows slightly sweet and grassy, while Cabrales Cheese leans toward hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd. Aging plays into this as well. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese at at least 6 days develops a different profile than Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months.

Can You Substitute Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?

In most recipes, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese and Cabrales Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect unctuous and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for unctuous, compact, no eyes. Flavor-wise, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese reads as slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a unctuous and creamy cheese, go with Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese. For a unctuous, compact, no eyes profile, Cabrales Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese suits recipes that want slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes notes, while Cabrales Cheese fits dishes calling for intense, piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese the same as Cabrales Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is typically aged at least 6 days, Cabrales Cheese 2 to 3 months.

Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese similar to Cabrales Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese taste like Cabrales Cheese?

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese reads as slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes, while Cabrales Cheese is intense, piquant.

What is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese made of?

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 days. It originates in Spain.

What is Cabrales Cheese made of?

Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using kid rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is unctuous and creamy, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes.