Boerenkaas Cheese vs Cabrales Cheese
Boerenkaas Cheese is a semi-hard cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Spain.
Buy Boerenkaas Cheese
Buy Cabrales Cheese
What Is Boerenkaas Cheese?
Boerenkaas is a Dutch farmhouse cheese, mostly handmade from raw cow, goat, sheep or buffalo milk. Its name has been protected as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed in the European Union since 2007.
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 Boerenkaas Cheese and Cabrales Cheese?
- Origin: Boerenkaas Cheese (Netherlands), Cabrales Cheese (Spain)
- Milk type: Boerenkaas Cheese (buffalo's, cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Boerenkaas Cheese (semi-hard), Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes)
- Taste: Boerenkaas Cheese (buttery, tangy), Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Boerenkaas Cheese | Cabrales Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Netherlands | Spain |
| Specific Origin | The Netherlands | Asturias |
| Milk Type | Buffalo's, cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Unctuous, compact, no eyes |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | 2 to 3 months |
| Taste | Buttery, tangy | Intense, piquant |
Taste Comparison: Does Boerenkaas Cheese Taste Like Cabrales Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy, while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant character.
Can You Substitute Boerenkaas Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese can stand in for Cabrales Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for unctuous, compact, no eyes. Flavor-wise, Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant notes.
Which Is Better, Boerenkaas Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Boerenkaas Cheese. For a unctuous, compact, no eyes profile, Cabrales Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Boerenkaas Cheese suits recipes that want buttery, tangy notes, while Cabrales Cheese fits dishes calling for intense, piquant.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boerenkaas Cheese the same as Cabrales Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Boerenkaas Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Cabrales Cheese comes from Spain. Boerenkaas Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Cabrales Cheese uses cow.
Is Boerenkaas Cheese similar to Cabrales Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Boerenkaas Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Boerenkaas Cheese taste like Cabrales Cheese?
Boerenkaas Cheese reads as buttery, tangy, while Cabrales Cheese is intense, piquant.
What is Boerenkaas Cheese made of?
Boerenkaas Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in Netherlands.
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, Boerenkaas Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Boerenkaas Cheese is semi-hard, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes.