Dovedale cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela
Dovedale cheese
Queijo Serra da Estrela
Dovedale cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) and made from sheep milk, originating in Portugal.
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What Is Dovedale cheese?
Dovedale, sold as Dovedale Blue, is a soft blue cheese made from full fat cow's milk near the Dovedale valley in the Peak District. It holds PDO status and is dipped in brine instead of dry-salted, which is rare for a British cheese.
What Is Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.
What's the Difference Between Dovedale cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?
- Milk type: Dovedale cheese (Cow), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
- Milk treatment: Dovedale cheese (Pasteurized), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Raw)
- Texture: Dovedale cheese (Soft), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
- Taste: Dovedale cheese (mild blue), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Dovedale cheese | Queijo Serra da Estrela | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Within Fifty Miles Of Dovedale, England | Beira Uplands, Including Municipalities Such As Carregal Do Sal, Celorico Da Beira, And Others. |
| Milk Type | Cow | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft | Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho) |
| Rind | — | Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho) |
| Aging | — | Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho" |
| Taste | Mild blue | Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho) |
Taste Comparison: Does Dovedale cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Dovedale cheese reads as mild blue, while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) character. More specifically, Dovedale cheese shows mild and creamy, with a continental character from brine dipping, while Queijo Serra da Estrela leans toward slightly acidic, strong to slightly strong, slightly spicy/salty.
Can You Substitute Dovedale cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Dovedale cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho). Flavor-wise, Dovedale cheese reads as mild blue while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) notes.
Which Is Better, Dovedale cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Dovedale cheese. For a closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) profile, Queijo Serra da Estrela is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Dovedale cheese suits recipes that want mild blue notes, while Queijo Serra da Estrela fits dishes calling for smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dovedale cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Dovedale cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep.
Is Dovedale cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Dovedale cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Dovedale cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Dovedale cheese reads as mild blue, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).
What is Dovedale cheese made of?
Dovedale cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized).
What is Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?
Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.
Which should I choose, Dovedale cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Dovedale cheese is soft, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).