Casu marzu Cheese vs Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya
Casu marzu Cheese is a soft, soft-ripened sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, creamy and made from cow milk.
What Is Casu marzu Cheese?
Casu marzu is a Sardinian sheep milk cheese fermented by live cheese fly larvae, which eat through a pecorino wheel and break down its fats until the paste turns very soft. Its sale is banned in Italy and the EU, and Guinness World Records called it the world's most dangerous cheese.
What Is Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is a young, soft-paste cheese made from pasteurized Friesian cow's milk in La Seu d'Urgell, Catalonia. It is the only Catalan cheese with a Protected Designation of Origin, and it tastes light with a salty aftertaste.
What's the Difference Between Casu marzu Cheese and Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
- Milk type: Casu marzu Cheese (sheep's milk), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Cow)
- Texture: Casu marzu Cheese (soft, soft-ripened), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Soft, creamy)
- Rind: Casu marzu Cheese (natural), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Natural, slightly moist, light brown)
- Aging: Casu marzu Cheese (3 months), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (up to one month)
- Taste: Casu marzu Cheese (intense, spicy), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Soft, clear, pleasant)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Casu marzu Cheese | Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Sardinia (Italy), Southern Corsica (France) | Alto Urgel And Cerdanya, Catalonia |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, soft-ripened | Soft, creamy |
| Rind | Natural | Natural, slightly moist, light brown |
| Aging | 3 months | Up to one month |
| Taste | Intense, spicy | Soft, clear, pleasant |
Taste Comparison: Does Casu marzu Cheese Taste Like Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Casu marzu Cheese reads as intense, spicy, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya brings soft, clear, pleasant character. More specifically, Casu marzu Cheese shows mediterranean, pastoral and spicy notes, with an aftertaste that lasts for hours, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya leans toward light, with a salty aftertaste and intense, persistent secondary aromas. Aging plays into this as well. Casu marzu Cheese at 3 months develops a different profile than Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya at up to one month.
Can You Substitute Casu marzu Cheese for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Casu marzu Cheese can stand in for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, soft-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Casu marzu Cheese reads as intense, spicy while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya brings soft, clear, pleasant notes.
Which Is Better, Casu marzu Cheese or Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, soft-ripened cheese, go with Casu marzu Cheese. For a soft, creamy profile, Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Casu marzu Cheese suits recipes that want intense, spicy notes, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya fits dishes calling for soft, clear, pleasant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Casu marzu Cheese the same as Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Casu marzu Cheese is made from sheep milk; Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya uses cow. Aging also differs: Casu marzu Cheese is typically aged 3 months, Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya up to one month.
Is Casu marzu Cheese similar to Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Casu marzu Cheese for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Casu marzu Cheese taste like Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
Casu marzu Cheese reads as intense, spicy, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, clear, pleasant.
What is Casu marzu Cheese made of?
Casu marzu Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Italy.
What is Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya made of?
Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged up to one month.
Which should I choose, Casu marzu Cheese or Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Casu marzu Cheese is soft, soft-ripened, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, creamy.