Cabrales Cheese vs Gamonedo Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a crumbly, open paste cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Gamonedo Cheese is a cow, goat, and sheep-milk cheese, originating in Spain.

What Is Cabrales Cheese?

Cabrales is a strong, pungent blue cheese from the Asturias region in northern Spain. It is traditionally made from a mixture of raw cow's, goat’s, and sheep's milk that is aged in natural limestone caves, facilitating the development of its intense flavor and blue veining. Cabrales is known for its deep, spicy earthiness and can be quite sharp, making it a favorite among blue cheese aficionados.

What Is Gamonedo Cheese?

Gamonedo is a blue cheese from the Asturias region in northern Spain. It is unique due to its dual-smoking and blue-mold maturation process, giving it a distinct smoky flavor with spicy blue veins. The cheese is typically aged for several months in natural caves, which enhances its complex flavor profile.

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

• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Gamonedo Cheese (Raw cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk, or any combination. Breeds: Friesian, Asturiana de los Valles, etc.)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Gamonedo Cheese (Raw)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Gamonedo Cheese (Inedible, varied)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Gamonedo Cheese (Minimum of sixty days up to five months)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Gamonedo Cheese (Buttery, slightly nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Gamonedo Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gamonedo Cheese brings buttery, slightly nutty character. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Gamonedo Cheese leans toward hint of hazelnut, smokiness, and pungency. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Gamonedo Cheese at minimum of sixty days up to five months.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gamonedo Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Gamonedo Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Gamonedo Cheese brings buttery, slightly nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Gamonedo Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Gamonedo Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, slightly nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Gamonedo Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Gamonedo Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Gamonedo Cheese minimum of sixty days up to five months.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Gamonedo Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gamonedo Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Gamonedo Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gamonedo Cheese is buttery, slightly nutty.

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 Gamonedo Cheese made of?

Gamonedo Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of sixty days up to five months. It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Gamonedo Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.