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Emmental Cheese vs Queso Manchego
Emmental Cheese
Queso Manchego
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Emmental Cheese and Queso Manchego, including:
- "What is the difference between Emmental Cheese and Queso Manchego?"
- "Is Emmental Cheese and Queso Manchego the same?"
- "How does Emmental Cheese compare to Queso Manchego cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Emmental Cheese compare to Queso Manchego?"
- "Is Emmental Cheese or Queso Manchego better?"
Emmental Cheese Overview
Emmental is a classic Swiss cheese, known for its large holes and nutty, mild flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a hard, dense texture. The holes, or "eyes," develop during the fermentation process as a result of gas released by the bacteria in the cheese. Emmental is often used in sandwiches and is a key ingredient in traditional Swiss fondue.
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
Emmental Cheese comes from Switzerland. 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. Emmental Cheese has a PDO (2004). Queso Manchego has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Emmental 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
Emmental Cheese has a fat content of minimum of 45% (dry matter). Emmental's texture can be described as "hard or medium-hard". Queso Manchego's texture can be described as "compact".
Taste and Aroma
Emmental Cheese has a nutty, sweet taste. Queso Manchego has a slightly acidic taste.
Appearance and Aging
Emmental Cheese's appearance is colored yellow , is available in round loaves and is aged 4 months to over 1 year . 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
Emmental is ranked #15 out of 996 types based on community views. Queso Manchego is ranked #26 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Emmental | Queso Manchego | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | No pairings listed. | Albariño, Almonds, Cava, Chorizo, Dried Figs, Dried Fruit, Tequila |
| Other Good Pairings | Dijon Mustard | 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 Emmental and Queso Manchego pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Emmental Cheese | Queso Manchego | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | Spain |
| Specific Origin | Emmental, Canton Of Bern | La Mancha Region |
| Certification | PDO (2004) | PDO (1996) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | Raw or pasteurized |
| Fat Content | Minimum of 45% (dry matter) | Not Specified |
| Rind | Not Specified | Pleita and flor imprints |
| Texture | Hard or medium-hard | Compact |
| Taste | Nutty, sweet | Slightly acidic |
| Colors | Yellow | White to yellowish ivory |
| Forms | Round loaves | Cylindrical with flat faces |
| Age | 4 months to over 1 year | 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 hard or medium-hard cheese, go for Emmental. But if you enjoy a compact consistency, Queso Manchego might be the better pick. Emmental has a nutty, sweet taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Queso Manchego offers a slightly acidic profile, ideal for different meals.
