Cabrales Cheese vs Chura Kampo Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Chura Kampo Cheese is hard, artisan, originating in China and Tibet.
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 Chura Kampo Cheese?
Chura kampo is a Tibetan dried cheese made from the curds left over from boiling buttermilk. It comes as small hard chunks that hold up to long chewing, and it is an important part of Tibetan cuisine.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Chura Kampo Cheese?
- Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Chura Kampo Cheese (China and Tibet)
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Chura Kampo Cheese (yak's milk)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Chura Kampo Cheese (hard, artisan)
- Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Chura Kampo Cheese (natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Chura Kampo Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | China And Tibet |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Tibet |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Yak's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | Hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Chura Kampo Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Chura Kampo Cheese's aromatic.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Chura Kampo Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Chura Kampo Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect unctuous, compact, no eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, artisan.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Chura Kampo 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 hard, artisan profile, Chura Kampo Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Chura Kampo Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Chura Kampo Cheese comes from China and Tibet.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Chura Kampo Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Chura Kampo Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Chura Kampo Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Chura Kampo Cheese made of?
Chura Kampo Cheese is made from milk. It originates in China and Tibet.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Chura Kampo Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Chura Kampo Cheese is hard, artisan.