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Derby Cheese vs Queso Manchego
Derby Cheese
Queso Manchego
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Derby Cheese and Queso Manchego, including:
- "What is the difference between Derby Cheese and Queso Manchego?"
- "Is Derby Cheese and Queso Manchego the same?"
- "How does Derby Cheese compare to Queso Manchego cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Derby Cheese compare to Queso Manchego?"
- "Is Derby Cheese or Queso Manchego better?"
Derby Cheese Overview
Derby cheese originates from Derbyshire, England, and is made from cow's milk. It is a semi-firm, ivory-colored cheese that is known for its buttery and mild flavor, with a hint of sweetness. The aroma is gentle, making it an approachable choice for many cheese enthusiasts. Derby is often compared to Cheddar, but it is usually softer and more moist. It is traditionally used in sandwiches or melted over dishes, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a snack.
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
Derby Cheese comes from England and United Kingdom. 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. Derby is not a protected cheese. Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Derby Cheese is made with cow milk. Queso Manchego is made with sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Derby's texture can be described as "semi-firm, artisan". Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".
Taste and Aroma
Derby Cheese has a buttery, mild, sweet taste. Derby's aroma can be described as "mild". Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste.
Appearance and Aging
Derby Cheese's appearance is colored ivory . 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
Queso Manchego's rind is described as pleita and flor imprints , with animal rennet.
Ranking
Derby is ranked #470 out of 996 types based on community views. Queso Manchego is ranked #28 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Derby | Queso Manchego | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | No pairings listed. | Albariño, Almonds, Cava, Chorizo, Dried Figs, Dried Fruit, Tequila |
| Other Good Pairings | No additional pairings listed. | 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 Derby and Queso Manchego pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Derby Cheese | Queso Manchego | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England And United Kingdom | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Derbyshire | La Mancha Region |
| Certification | Not Specified | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Not Specified | Raw or pasteurized |
| Rind | Not Specified | Pleita and flor imprints |
| Texture | Semi-firm, artisan | Compact |
| Taste | Buttery, mild, sweet | Slightly acidic |
| Aroma | Mild | Not Specified |
| Colors | Ivory | White to yellowish ivory |
| Forms | Not Specified | Cylindrical with flat faces |
| Age | Not Specified | 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 semi-firm, artisan cheese, go for Derby. But if you enjoy a compact consistency, Queso Manchego might be the better pick. Derby has a buttery, mild, sweet taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Queso Manchego offers a slightly acidic profile, ideal for different meals.
