Cabrales Cheese vs Mozzarella Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.

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 Mozzarella Cheese?

Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese from southern Italy, made by stretching and kneading the curd. Cow's milk versions are called fior di latte, buffalo milk versions mozzarella di bufala, and it tops most pizza.

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

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Mozzarella Cheese (Italy)
• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Mozzarella Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Mozzarella Cheese (Soft, creamy)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Mozzarella Cheese (None)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Mozzarella Cheese (Eaten fresh)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Mozzarella Cheese (Mild, milky)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Mozzarella Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Mozzarella Cheese brings mild, milky character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Mozzarella Cheese's mild. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Mozzarella Cheese leans toward made globally; often used in pizza and italian dishes; cow's milk versions are most common.. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Mozzarella Cheese at eaten fresh.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Mozzarella 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, creamy. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Mozzarella Cheese brings mild, milky notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Mozzarella Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Mozzarella Cheese comes from Italy. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Mozzarella Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Mozzarella Cheese eaten fresh.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Mozzarella Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Mozzarella Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Mozzarella Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Mozzarella Cheese is mild, milky. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Mozzarella Cheese is closer to mild.

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 Mozzarella Cheese made of?

Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (pasteurized), using calf's or microbial rennet. It's typically aged eaten fresh. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Mozzarella Cheese?

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