Cabrales Cheese vs Pljevlja Cheese
Cabrales Cheese
Pljevlja Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Pljevlja Cheese is soft to semihard and made from cow or sheep milk, originating in Montenegro.
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 Pljevlja Cheese?
Pljevlja is a traditional cheese from the northern region of Montenegro, made from cow's milk. It has a rich, creamy texture and a strong, salty flavor. Often served as part of a mezze platter, Pljevlja cheese is enjoyed with bread, olives, and sometimes drizzled with honey for a balance of flavors.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Pljevlja Cheese?
- Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Pljevlja Cheese (Montenegro)
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Pljevlja Cheese (Sheep’s milk, cow’s milk, mixed)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Pljevlja Cheese (Soft to semihard)
- Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Pljevlja Cheese (4 to 8 weeks)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Pljevlja Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Montenegro |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Northern Montenegro, Municipality Of Pljevlja |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep’s milk, cow’s milk, mixed |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | Soft to semihard |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Pljevlja Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Pljevlja Cheese at 4 to 8 weeks.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Pljevlja Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Pljevlja 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 to semihard.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Pljevlja 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 to semihard profile, Pljevlja Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Pljevlja Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Pljevlja Cheese comes from Montenegro. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Pljevlja Cheese uses cow or sheep. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Pljevlja Cheese 4 to 8 weeks.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Pljevlja Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Pljevlja Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Pljevlja Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Pljevlja Cheese made of?
Pljevlja Cheese is made from cow or sheep milk, using traditional, industrial rennet. It's typically aged 4 to 8 weeks. It originates in Montenegro.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Pljevlja Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Pljevlja Cheese is soft to semihard.