Cabrales Cheese vs Jarlsberg Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard and made from cow milk, originating in Norway.

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 Jarlsberg Cheese?

Jarlsberg is a mild Swiss-type cheese from Norway, made from cow's milk and named after Jarlsberg Manor. It is known for its buttery, slightly sweet and nutty flavor and its medium to large holes.

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

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Jarlsberg Cheese (Norway)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Jarlsberg Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Jarlsberg Cheese (Semihard)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Jarlsberg Cheese (Plastic-covered)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Jarlsberg Cheese (Three months to twelve months)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Jarlsberg Cheese (Mild, sweet, nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Jarlsberg Cheese's mild, buttery. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Jarlsberg Cheese leans toward known for its mild, sweet, and nutty flavor and large eyes.. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Jarlsberg Cheese at three months to twelve months.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

In most recipes, Cabrales Cheese and Jarlsberg Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect unctuous, compact, no eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for semihard. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Jarlsberg Cheese brings mild, sweet, nutty notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Jarlsberg 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 semihard profile, Jarlsberg Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Jarlsberg Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, sweet, nutty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Jarlsberg Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Jarlsberg Cheese comes from Norway. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Jarlsberg Cheese three months to twelve months.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Jarlsberg Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Jarlsberg Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Jarlsberg Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Jarlsberg Cheese is mild, sweet, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Jarlsberg Cheese is closer to mild, buttery.

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 Jarlsberg Cheese made of?

Jarlsberg Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged three months to twelve months. It originates in Norway.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Jarlsberg Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Jarlsberg Cheese is semihard.