Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese vs Exmoor Blue Cheese
Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is a unctuous and creamy cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft and made from cow milk.
What Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese?
From the lush pastures of Galicia, Spain, Arzúa-Ulloa is crafted from the milk of local cows. This soft, creamy cheese has a mild, slightly salty taste and a smooth, supple texture, making it excellent for melting. It is often used in traditional Spanish cooking and pairs beautifully with fruity red wines.
What Is Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is a full-fat soft blue-veined cheese made from unpasteurized Jersey cow’s milk in Devon and Somerset, England. It has a rich yellow color and a buttery texture, with an average fat content of 34%. The cheese has been handmade on Willet Farm since 1986, using traditional methods. It undergoes a maturation period of 3 to 6 weeks, during which it is regularly turned and treated with Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium candidum to develop its distinctive blue veining. The lush pasture of the region, influenced by the warm, wet climate and red sandstone soil, contributes to the rich flavor of the milk used in production.
What's the Difference Between Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese and Exmoor Blue Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Raw or Pasteurized), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Unpasteurized)
- Texture: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Unctuous and creamy), Exmoor Blue Cheese (Soft)
- Aging: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (At least 6 days), Exmoor Blue Cheese (3 to 6 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese | Exmoor Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | — |
| Specific Origin | Galicia, Banks Of The Ulla River | Devon And Somerset, England |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk (raw or pasteurized) | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw or Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Unctuous and creamy | Soft |
| Rind | — | Treated with Penicillium candidum |
| Aging | At least 6 days | 3 to 6 weeks |
| Taste | Slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese Taste Like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese at at least 6 days develops a different profile than Exmoor Blue Cheese at 3 to 6 weeks.
Can You Substitute Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
In most recipes, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese and Exmoor Blue 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 soft.
Which Is Better, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese or Exmoor Blue 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 soft profile, Exmoor Blue Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese the same as Exmoor Blue Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is typically aged at least 6 days, Exmoor Blue Cheese 3 to 6 weeks.
Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese similar to Exmoor Blue Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese for Exmoor Blue Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese taste like Exmoor Blue Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Exmoor Blue Cheese made of?
Exmoor Blue Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using vegetarian rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 6 weeks.
Which should I choose, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese or Exmoor Blue Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is unctuous and creamy, while Exmoor Blue Cheese is soft.