Cabrales Cheese vs Cheddar Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) and made from cow milk, originating in England.

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 Is Cheddar Cheese?

Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.

What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Cheddar Cheese?

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Cheddar Cheese (England)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline))
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic))
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Cheddar Cheese (A few months to several years)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Cheddar Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory character. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Cheddar Cheese leans toward from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Cheddar Cheese at a few months to several years.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes, Cabrales Cheese and Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect unctuous, compact, no eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline). Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Cheddar Cheese brings mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a unctuous, compact, no eyes cheese, go with Cabrales Cheese. For a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) profile, Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Cheddar Cheese comes from England. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Cheddar Cheese a few months to several years.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Cheddar Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Cheddar Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Cheddar Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Cheddar Cheese is mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory.

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.

What is Cheddar Cheese made of?

Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline).