Cabrales Cheese vs Lairobell Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Lairobell Cheese is hard, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in Scotland 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 Lairobell Cheese?

Lairobell is a hard, artisan cheese from the Orkney Isles in Scotland, made from unpasteurized goat's milk. This cheese is characterized by its pale yellow color and natural rind. It offers a sweet and herbaceous flavor, with a pronounced goaty aroma that is typical of goat's milk cheeses. The texture is firm, making it suitable for slicing or grating. Lairobell is a product of traditional cheese-making practices, reflecting the pastoral landscapes of the region. It pairs well with fresh fruits and nuts, and can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a cheese board.

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

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Lairobell Cheese (Scotland and United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Lairobell Cheese (goat's milk)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Lairobell Cheese (hard, artisan)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Lairobell Cheese (natural)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Lairobell Cheese (herbaceous, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Lairobell Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Lairobell Cheese brings herbaceous, sweet character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Lairobell Cheese's goaty.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Lairobell Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Lairobell 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. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Lairobell Cheese brings herbaceous, sweet notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Lairobell Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Lairobell Cheese comes from Scotland and United Kingdom. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Lairobell Cheese uses goat.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Lairobell Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Lairobell Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Lairobell Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Lairobell Cheese is herbaceous, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Lairobell Cheese is closer to 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 Lairobell Cheese made of?

Lairobell Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in Scotland and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Lairobell Cheese?

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