Queijo de Azeitão vs Tête de Moine Cheese

Q: Is Queijo de Azeitão the same as Tête de Moine Cheese?

No. Queijo de Azeitão and Tête de Moine Cheese are distinct cheeses from Portugal and Switzerland respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Tête de Moine Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Queijo de Azeitão for Tête de Moine Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Queijo de Azeitão or Tête de Moine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Queijo de Azeitão

Tête de Moine Cheese

Queijo de Azeitão is a semi-hard, creamy sheep-milk cheese from Portugal, while Tête de Moine Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

Buy Queijo de Azeitão

Buy on Amazon Buy at Murray's

Buy Tête de Moine Cheese

Buy on Amazon Buy at Murray's

What Is Queijo de Azeitão?

Queijo de Azeitão is a Portuguese cheese from the town of Azeitão, produced in Setúbal, Palmela and Sesimbra. It holds EU PDO status and was named one of the 50 best gastronomic products in the world at the 2014 Great Taste Awards.

What Is Tête de Moine Cheese?

Tête de Moine AOP is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese from the Swiss Jura, first made by the canons of Bellelay abbey in the 12th century. It is not sliced but pared into thin rosettes with a Girolle.

What's the Difference Between Queijo de Azeitão and Tête de Moine Cheese?

Origin: Queijo de Azeitão (Portugal), Tête de Moine Cheese (Switzerland)
Milk type: Queijo de Azeitão (Sheep's milk), Tête de Moine Cheese (Cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Queijo de Azeitão (Raw), Tête de Moine Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Queijo de Azeitão (Semi-hard, creamy), Tête de Moine Cheese (Semi-hard)
Rind: Queijo de Azeitão (Malleable, quite soft, whole, well-formed, smooth, fine, yellow, uniform), Tête de Moine Cheese (firm, grainy natural crust)
Aging: Queijo de Azeitão (Minimum curing time is 16 days), Tête de Moine Cheese (at least 2½ months)
Taste: Queijo de Azeitão (Slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty), Tête de Moine Cheese (nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Queijo de Azeitão	Tête de Moine Cheese
Country of Origin	Portugal	Switzerland
Specific Origin	Palmela, Setúbal, And Sesimbra Councils	Bernese Jura And Canton Of Jura, Switzerland
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Raw	Unpasteurized
Texture	Semi-hard, creamy	Semi-hard
Rind	Malleable, quite soft, whole, well-formed, smooth, fine, yellow, uniform	Firm, grainy natural crust
Aging	Minimum curing time is 16 days	At least 2½ months
Taste	Slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty	Nutty

Taste Comparison: Does Queijo de Azeitão Taste Like Tête de Moine Cheese?

Queijo de Azeitão reads as slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty, while Tête de Moine Cheese brings nutty character. On the nose, Queijo de Azeitão offers mild, delicate, contrasted with Tête de Moine Cheese's rich. Aging plays into this as well. Queijo de Azeitão at minimum curing time is 16 days develops a different profile than Tête de Moine Cheese at at least 2½ months.

Can You Substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Tête de Moine Cheese?

Queijo de Azeitão can stand in for Tête de Moine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Queijo de Azeitão reads as slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty while Tête de Moine Cheese brings nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Queijo de Azeitão or Tête de Moine Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, creamy cheese, go with Queijo de Azeitão. For a semi-hard profile, Tête de Moine Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Queijo de Azeitão suits recipes that want slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty notes, while Tête de Moine Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queijo de Azeitão the same as Tête de Moine Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Queijo de Azeitão originates in Portugal, while Tête de Moine Cheese comes from Switzerland. Queijo de Azeitão is made from sheep milk; Tête de Moine Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Queijo de Azeitão is typically aged minimum curing time is 16 days, Tête de Moine Cheese at least 2½ months.

Is Queijo de Azeitão similar to Tête de Moine Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Queijo de Azeitão for Tête de Moine Cheese?

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

Does Queijo de Azeitão taste like Tête de Moine Cheese?

Queijo de Azeitão reads as slightly piquant, a mix of sharp and salty, while Tête de Moine Cheese is nutty. Aromas also diverge. Queijo de Azeitão leans mild, delicate, and Tête de Moine Cheese is closer to rich.

What is Queijo de Azeitão made of?

Queijo de Azeitão is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon (cynara cardunculus l.) preparation rennet. It's typically aged minimum curing time is 16 days. It originates in Portugal.

What is Tête de Moine Cheese made of?

Tête de Moine Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least 2½ months. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Queijo de Azeitão or Tête de Moine Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queijo de Azeitão is semi-hard, creamy, while Tête de Moine Cheese is semi-hard.