Bread Cheese vs Cabrales Cheese

Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes and made from cow milk, originating in Spain.

What Is Bread Cheese?

Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.

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 Bread Cheese and Cabrales Cheese?

• Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Cabrales Cheese (Spain)
• Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes)
• Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months)
• Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Cabrales Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant character. On the nose, Bread Cheese offers appetizing when heated, contrasted with Cabrales Cheese's strong. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months.

Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?

Bread Cheese can stand in for Cabrales Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for unctuous, compact, no eyes. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Cabrales Cheese brings intense, piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a unctuous, compact, no eyes profile, Cabrales Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Cabrales Cheese fits dishes calling for intense, piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bread Cheese the same as Cabrales Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Cabrales Cheese comes from Spain. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Cabrales Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Cabrales Cheese 2 to 3 months.

Is Bread Cheese similar to Cabrales Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Cabrales Cheese?

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

Does Bread Cheese taste like Cabrales Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Cabrales Cheese is intense, piquant. Aromas also diverge. Bread Cheese leans appetizing when heated, and Cabrales Cheese is closer to strong.

What is Bread Cheese made of?

Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.

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, Bread Cheese or Cabrales Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes.