Cabrales Cheese vs Stawley Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Stawley Cheese is soft 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 Stawley Cheese?

Stawley is a soft cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk in Somerset, England. It has a pale yellow color and a mold-ripened rind that contributes to its unique aroma of mushroom and nutty scents. The flavor profile of Stawley includes notes of caramel, floral, milky, and sweet, creating a pleasant and balanced taste experience. Its soft texture makes it easy to spread or enjoy on its own. Ideal for cheese boards, it pairs well with fresh bread or a light wine. This cheese reflects the traditional methods and quality of the region's cheesemaking.

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

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Stawley Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Stawley Cheese (goat's milk)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Stawley Cheese (soft)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Stawley Cheese (mold ripened)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Stawley Cheese (caramel, floral, milky, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Stawley Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Stawley Cheese brings caramel, floral, milky, sweet character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Stawley Cheese's mushroom, nutty.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Stawley Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Stawley 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. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Stawley Cheese brings caramel, floral, milky, sweet notes.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Stawley Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Stawley Cheese comes from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Stawley Cheese uses goat.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Stawley Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Stawley Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Stawley Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Stawley Cheese is caramel, floral, milky, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Stawley Cheese is closer to mushroom, nutty.

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 Stawley Cheese made of?

Stawley Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Stawley Cheese?

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