Cabrales Cheese vs Goat Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard and made from goat milk.
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 Cheese?
Goat cheese, also called chèvre, is cheese made from goat's milk. It is produced around the world in styles ranging from fresh and soft to aged and hard, and is known for the tart, goaty flavor that comes from the milk's medium-chain fatty acids.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Goat Cheese?
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Goat Cheese (goat)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard)
- Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Goat Cheese (tart, goaty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Goat Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | — |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Worldwide |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | Soft, semihard or hard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | Tart, goaty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Goat Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Goat Cheese brings tart, goaty character. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Goat Cheese leans toward tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Goat Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Goat 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, semihard or hard. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Goat Cheese brings tart, goaty notes.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Goat 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, semihard or hard profile, Goat Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Goat Cheese fits dishes calling for tart, goaty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Goat Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Goat Cheese uses goat.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Goat Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Goat Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Goat Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Goat Cheese is tart, goaty.
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 Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Goat Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard.