Cabrales Cheese vs Innes Brick Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Innes Brick Cheese is semi-soft, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
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 Innes Brick Cheese?
Innes Brick is a semi-soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk near Tamworth, Staffordshire, in England. Its pale yellow interior is complemented by a mold-ripened rind, giving it a fresh, lactic aroma. The flavor is mild and milky with a touch of nuttiness, making it a pleasant choice for those who enjoy gentle goat cheeses. The texture is smooth and creamy, which pairs well with crusty bread or fresh fruits. This cheese offers a simple yet satisfying taste experience, ideal for both casual snacking and refined cheese boards.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Innes Brick Cheese?
- Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Innes Brick Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Innes Brick Cheese (goat's milk)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Innes Brick Cheese (semi-soft, artisan)
- Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Innes Brick Cheese (mold ripened)
- Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Innes Brick Cheese (mild, milky, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Innes Brick Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Near Tamworth, Staffordshire |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | Semi-soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Mold ripened |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | Mild, milky, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Innes Brick Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Innes Brick Cheese brings mild, milky, nutty character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Innes Brick Cheese's fresh, lactic.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Innes Brick Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Innes Brick 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 semi-soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Innes Brick Cheese brings mild, milky, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Innes Brick 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 semi-soft, artisan profile, Innes Brick Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Innes Brick Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, milky, nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Innes Brick Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Innes Brick Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Innes Brick Cheese uses goat.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Innes Brick Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Innes Brick Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Innes Brick Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Innes Brick Cheese is mild, milky, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Innes Brick Cheese is closer to fresh, lactic.
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 Innes Brick Cheese made of?
Innes Brick Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Innes Brick Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Innes Brick Cheese is semi-soft, artisan.