Cabrales Cheese vs Domiati Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Domiati Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

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 Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Domiati Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Domiati Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Domiati Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Domiati Cheese (None)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Domiati Cheese (Salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Domiati Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Domiati Cheese brings salty character. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Domiati Cheese leans toward salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Domiati 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 soft. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Domiati Cheese brings salty notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Domiati 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 soft profile, Domiati Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Domiati Cheese fits dishes calling for salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Domiati Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Domiati Cheese comes from Egypt. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Domiati Cheese uses cow, goat, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Domiati Cheese fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Domiati Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Domiati Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Domiati Cheese is salty.

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 Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

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