Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese vs Pérail Cheese

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is a unctuous and creamy cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Pérail Cheese is soft and made from sheep milk, originating in France.

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 Pérail Cheese?

Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.

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

• Origin: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Spain), Pérail Cheese (France)
• Milk type: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Cow's milk (raw or pasteurized)), Pérail Cheese (sheep)
• Texture: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Unctuous and creamy), Pérail Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (thin and pliant, smooth), Pérail Cheese (wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum)
• Aging: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (At least 6 days), Pérail Cheese (2 to 8 weeks)
• Taste: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese (Slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes), Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese reads as slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes, while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses character. Aging plays into this as well. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese at at least 6 days develops a different profile than Pérail Cheese at 2 to 8 weeks.

Can You Substitute Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese for Pérail Cheese?

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese can stand in for Pérail Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect unctuous and creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for soft. Flavor-wise, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese reads as slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes while Pérail Cheese brings distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes.

Which Is Better, Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese or Pérail 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, Pérail 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 Pérail Cheese fits dishes calling for distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese the same as Pérail Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese originates in Spain, while Pérail Cheese comes from France. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is made from cow milk; Pérail Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is typically aged at least 6 days, Pérail Cheese 2 to 8 weeks.

Is Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese similar to Pérail Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese for Pérail Cheese?

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

Does Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese taste like Pérail Cheese?

Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese reads as slightly salty and pleasantly acidic, buttery and milky with nutty notes, while Pérail Cheese is distinctly sheepy in older cheeses.

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 Pérail Cheese made of?

Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese is unctuous and creamy, while Pérail Cheese is soft.