Cabrales Cheese vs Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese is hard, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in Canada, United Kingdom and United States.

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 Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

Goat Milk Cheddar is a hard, artisan cheese made from pasteurized goat's milk. It is produced in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The cheese has a natural rind and develops a firm texture with age. It offers a creamy, tangy flavor typical of goat's milk, paired with the sharpness and nuttiness characteristic of traditional cheddar. This cheese is often aged to enhance its depth of flavor, making it a great choice for adding to cheese boards or using in cooking. Goat Milk Cheddar can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fruits and nuts.

What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese (Canada, United Kingdom and United States)
• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese (goat's milk)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese (hard, artisan)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese (natural)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Goat Milk Cheddars 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 Goat Milk Cheddars 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, Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese comes from Canada, United Kingdom and United States. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese uses goat.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Goat Milk Cheddars 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 Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese made of?

Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese is made from goat milk (pasteurized). It originates in Canada, United Kingdom and United States.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Goat Milk Cheddars Cheese is hard, artisan.