Cabrales Cheese vs Sleightlett Cheese
Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Sleightlett Cheese is fresh soft, artisan and made from goat milk, originating in England, Great Britain 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 Sleightlett Cheese?
Sleightlett is a fresh soft cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk at Sleight Farm in Timsbury, Somerset, England. It has a white mold-ripened rind, a lemony flavor, and was sold through Harrods and Neal's Yard Dairy.
What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Sleightlett Cheese?
- Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Sleightlett Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
- Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Sleightlett Cheese (goat's milk)
- Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Sleightlett Cheese (fresh soft, artisan)
- Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Sleightlett Cheese (mold ripened)
- Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Sleightlett Cheese (citrusy, lemony, nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cabrales Cheese | Sleightlett Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Asturias | Timsbury, Somerset |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Unctuous, compact, no eyes | Fresh soft, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Mold ripened |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | — |
| Taste | Intense, piquant | Citrusy, lemony, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Sleightlett Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Sleightlett Cheese brings citrusy, lemony, nutty character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Sleightlett Cheese's goaty, lactic.
Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Sleightlett Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Sleightlett 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 fresh soft, artisan. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Sleightlett Cheese brings citrusy, lemony, nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Sleightlett 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 fresh soft, artisan profile, Sleightlett Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Sleightlett Cheese fits dishes calling for citrusy, lemony, nutty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Sleightlett Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Sleightlett Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Sleightlett Cheese uses goat.
Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Sleightlett Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Sleightlett Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Sleightlett Cheese?
Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Sleightlett Cheese is citrusy, lemony, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Sleightlett Cheese is closer to goaty, lactic.
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 Sleightlett Cheese made of?
Sleightlett Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Sleightlett Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is unctuous, compact, no eyes, while Sleightlett Cheese is fresh soft, artisan.