Cabrales Cheese vs Iberico Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a crumbly, open paste cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Iberico Cheese is hard and made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, 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 Iberico Cheese?
Queso Iberico is a hard cheese from Spain made using a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk. It can be crafted from either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, contributing to its rich and aromatic profile. This cheese has a buttery and nutty flavor with a strong taste that captures the essence of its mixed milk origins. The cheese is typically white in color and features a natural rind. Known also as Iberico Cheese, it offers a satisfying density and a complex taste that pairs well with a variety of foods. Its rich aroma and firm texture make it a popular choice for cheese lovers seeking a traditional Spanish flavor.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Iberico Cheese?
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Iberico Cheese (cow's, goat's and sheep's milk)
- Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Iberico Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (Crumbly, open paste), Iberico Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Iberico Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Iberico Cheese (buttery, nutty, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Iberico Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized or unpasteurized |
| Texture | Crumbly, open paste | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | Buttery, nutty, strong |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Cabrales Cheese | Iberico Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Vinho Verde |
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Where to buy Cabrales Cheese and Iberico Cheese
Cabrales Cheese
Iberico Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Iberico Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Iberico Cheese brings buttery, nutty, strong character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Iberico Cheese's aromatic, rich.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Iberico Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Iberico Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, open paste bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Iberico Cheese brings buttery, nutty, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Iberico Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, open paste cheese, go with Cabrales Cheese. For a hard profile, Iberico Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Iberico Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery, nutty, strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Iberico Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Iberico Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Iberico Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Iberico Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Iberico Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Iberico Cheese is buttery, nutty, strong. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Iberico Cheese is closer to aromatic, rich.
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 Iberico Cheese made of?
Iberico Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It originates in Spain.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Iberico Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is crumbly, open paste, while Iberico Cheese is hard.
See full profiles: Cabrales Cheese and Iberico Cheese.