Cabrales Cheese vs Farmstead Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Farmstead Cheese is a cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese.
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 Farmstead Cheese?
Farmstead cheese, called farmhouse cheese in Europe, is made on the same farm that produced the milk. No outside milk is allowed, so each one tastes like the herd and land behind it.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Farmstead Cheese?
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Farmstead Cheese (cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Farmstead Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | — |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Europe And North America |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, goat, sheep, sometimes water buffalo |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Farmstead Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Farmstead Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Farmstead Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Farmstead Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Farmstead Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Farmstead Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Farmstead Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Farmstead Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Farmstead 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 Farmstead Cheese made of?
Farmstead Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Farmstead Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.