Brunost Cheese vs Queso Manchego

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Brunost Cheese and Queso Manchego, including:

• "What is the difference between Brunost Cheese and Queso Manchego?"
• "Is Brunost Cheese and Queso Manchego the same?"
• "How does Brunost Cheese compare to Queso Manchego cheese?"
• "How does the taste of Brunost Cheese compare to Queso Manchego?"
• "Is Brunost Cheese or Queso Manchego better?"

Brunost Cheese Overview

Brunost, or "brown cheese," is a distinctly Norwegian dairy product, often classified as a cheese, though it differs from traditional cheeses. It is made by boiling down the whey of goat's milk, cow's milk, or a combination of both, until the water evaporates, and the natural milk sugars caramelize. This process gives Brunost its unique brown color, sweet caramel-like flavor, and fudge-like texture. It is commonly sliced thin and served on bread, crispbreads, or waffles.

Queso Manchego Overview

Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Brunost Cheese comes from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Queso Manchego originated from Spain.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Brunost is not a protected cheese. Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996).

Milk Type and Treatment

Brunost Cheese is made with cow and goat milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized. Queso Manchego is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Brunost's texture can be described as "semi-soft, whey". Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".

Taste and Aroma

Brunost Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste.

Appearance and Aging

Brunost Cheese's appearance is colored brown . Queso Manchego has a color of white to yellowish ivory , comes in cylindrical with flat faces and has an aging period of fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) .

Rind and Rennet Type

Brunost Cheese's rind is described as natural . Queso Manchego's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints , with animal rennet.

Ranking

Brunost is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views. Queso Manchego is ranked #26 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Brunost and Queso Manchego pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a semi-soft, whey cheese, go for Brunost. But if you enjoy a compact consistency, Queso Manchego might be the better pick. Brunost has a caramel, sweet taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Queso Manchego offers a slightly acidic profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Brunost Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Queso Manchego to Other Cheeses