Cabrales Cheese vs Queso Castellano

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Queso Castellano is firm, slightly adhesive, elastic, crumbly, granular and made from sheep milk.

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 Queso Castellano?

Queso Castellano is a pressed sheep's milk cheese from Castile and Leon, Spain, made from raw or pasteurized milk. It has carried a protected geographical indication since 2020 and is sold as whole wheels, in portions, sliced or grated.

What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Queso Castellano?

• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Queso Castellano (Sheep)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Queso Castellano (Raw or pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Queso Castellano (Firm, slightly adhesive, elastic, crumbly, granular)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Queso Castellano (Well-defined, natural or coated, pale yellow to brown)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Queso Castellano (Minimum 30 days (≤1.5 kg), minimum 60 days (>1.5 kg))
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Queso Castellano (High intensity, acidic and salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Queso Castellano?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Queso Castellano brings high intensity, acidic and salty character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Queso Castellano's moderately intense; lactic, caramel, nutty, slight butter, fruit, and vegetable notes. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Queso Castellano leans toward lactic, caramel, nutty, slight fruit and vegetable notes, slight spiciness. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Queso Castellano at minimum 30 days (≤1.5 kg), minimum 60 days (>1.5 kg).

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Queso Castellano?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Queso Castellano 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 firm, slightly adhesive, elastic, crumbly, granular. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Queso Castellano brings high intensity, acidic and salty notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Queso Castellano?

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 firm, slightly adhesive, elastic, crumbly, granular profile, Queso Castellano is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Queso Castellano fits dishes calling for high intensity, acidic and salty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Queso Castellano?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Queso Castellano uses sheep. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Queso Castellano minimum 30 days (≤1.5 kg), minimum 60 days (>1.5 kg).

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Queso Castellano?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Queso Castellano?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Queso Castellano?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Queso Castellano is high intensity, acidic and salty. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Queso Castellano is closer to moderately intense; lactic, caramel, nutty, slight butter, fruit, and vegetable notes.

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 Queso Castellano made of?

Queso Castellano is made from sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using rennet or coagulating enzymes rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days (≤1.5 kg), minimum 60 days (>1.5 kg).

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Queso Castellano?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Queso Castellano is firm, slightly adhesive, elastic, crumbly, granular.