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Comté Cheese vs Queso Manchego
Comté Cheese
Queso Manchego
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Comté Cheese and Queso Manchego, including:
- "What is the difference between Comté Cheese and Queso Manchego?"
- "Is Comté Cheese and Queso Manchego the same?"
- "How does Comté Cheese compare to Queso Manchego cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Comté Cheese compare to Queso Manchego?"
- "Is Comté Cheese or Queso Manchego better?"
Comté Cheese Overview
Comté is a French cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. It is one of the most popular AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) cheeses, known for its complex flavors which can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Comté is aged for a minimum of four months, with some wheels maturing for over a year to develop a deeper flavor profile.
Queso Manchego Overview
Manchego is a PDO-protected cheese made in the La Mancha region of Spain, exclusively from the milk of Manchega sheep. It has a firm and compact consistency and a buttery texture, with a distinctive flavor that is well-developed and tangy, often with a slight piquancy in older cheeses. Manchego is aged for a minimum of two months and up to two years, developing a deeper flavor and harder texture with time.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Comté Cheese comes from France. Queso Manchego originated from Spain.
Certification
Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Comté Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1958). Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Comté Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw. Queso Manchego is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Comté's texture can be described as "smooth; semi-hard". Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".
Taste and Aroma
Comté Cheese has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted taste. Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste.
Appearance and Aging
Comté Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow , is available in wide, flat wheels and is aged 4 months to 3 years . Queso Manchego has a color of white to yellowish ivory , comes in cylindrical with flat faces and has an aging period of fresco (2 weeks), semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), curado (3-6 months), viejo or anejo (1 year) .
Rind and Rennet Type
Comté Cheese's rind is described as natural . Queso Manchego's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints , with animal rennet.
Ranking
Comté is ranked #73 out of 996 types based on community views. Queso Manchego is ranked #28 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Comté | Queso Manchego | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | White Burgundy | Albariño, Almonds, Cava, Chorizo, Dried Figs, Dried Fruit, Tequila |
| Other Good Pairings | Chardonnay | Apples, Apricot, Asian Pear, Cabernet Sauvignon, Crackers, Dirty Martini, Fig Jam, Grapes, Green Apple, Grüner Veltliner, Hard Cider, Honey, Honeycomb, Madeira, Malbec, Pear, Port, Scotch |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Comté and Queso Manchego pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Comté Cheese | Queso Manchego | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Massif Du Jura | La Mancha Region |
| Certification | PDO (1996), AOC (1958) | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's Milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw or pasteurized |
| Rind | Natural | Pleita and flor imprints |
| Texture | Smooth; Semi-hard | Compact |
| Taste | Nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted | Slightly acidic |
| Colors | Pale yellow | White to yellowish ivory |
| Forms | Wide, flat wheels | Cylindrical with flat faces |
| Age | 4 months to 3 years | Fresco (2 weeks), Semi-curado (3 weeks to 4 months), Curado (3-6 months), Viejo or Anejo (1 year) |
| Rennet Type | Not Specified | Animal rennet |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go for Comté. But if you enjoy a compact consistency, Queso Manchego might be the better pick. Comté has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Queso Manchego offers a slightly acidic profile, ideal for different meals.
