Cabrales Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a unctuous, compact, no eyes cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

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

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Cabrales Cheese (cow's milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (unctuous, compact, no eyes), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Urdă Cheese's fresh. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Urdă Cheese leans toward creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese can stand in for Urdă 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 creamy, delicate. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Urdă 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 creamy, delicate profile, Urdă Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Urdă Cheese is high quality. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Urdă Cheese is closer to fresh.

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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

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