Cabrales Cheese vs Sheep's Milk Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Sheep's Milk Cheese is a sheep-milk cheese.
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 Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Sheep's milk cheese is cheese made from ewe's milk, one of the three main milks used for cheese alongside cow and goat. Because sheep milk is high in fat, these cheeses are known for a concentrated, full-bodied taste.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Sheep's Milk Cheese?
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Sheep's Milk Cheese (sheep)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Sheep's Milk Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | — |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Sheep's Milk Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Sheep's Milk Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Sheep's Milk Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Sheep's Milk Cheese uses sheep.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Sheep's Milk Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Sheep's Milk Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Sheep's Milk 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 Sheep's Milk Cheese made of?
Sheep's Milk Cheese is made from sheep milk, using animal or microbial rennet.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Sheep's Milk Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.