Innes Log Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela
Innes Log Cheese is a soft, artisan goat-milk cheese from England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, 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.
What Is Innes Log Cheese?
Innes Log is a soft, artisan cheese made from unpasteurized goat's milk near Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. This cheese features a pale yellow hue and a bloomy rind, contributing to its fresh and lactic aroma. It offers a citrusy, milky, and nutty flavor profile with a tangy finish. The texture is creamy and smooth, making it a satisfying choice for anyone who enjoys the rich and tangy characteristics of goat's milk cheese. Perfect for a cheese board or paired with fresh bread, Innes Log is a delicious example of traditional English cheesemaking.
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 Innes Log Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?
- Origin: Innes Log Cheese (England, Great Britain and United Kingdom), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
- Milk type: Innes Log Cheese (goat's milk), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
- Milk treatment: Innes Log Cheese (unpasteurized), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Raw)
- Texture: Innes Log Cheese (soft, artisan), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
- Rind: Innes Log Cheese (bloomy), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho))
- Taste: Innes Log Cheese (citrusy, milky, nutty, tangy), 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
| Innes Log Cheese | Queijo Serra da Estrela | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England, Great Britain And United Kingdom | Portugal |
| Specific Origin | Near Tamworth, Staffordshire | Beira Uplands, Including Municipalities Such As Carregal Do Sal, Celorico Da Beira, And Others. |
| Milk Type | Goat's milk | Sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho) |
| Rind | Bloomy | Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho) |
| Aging | — | Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho" |
| Taste | Citrusy, milky, nutty, tangy | Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho) |
Taste Comparison: Does Innes Log Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Innes Log Cheese reads as citrusy, milky, nutty, tangy, 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. On the nose, Innes Log Cheese offers fresh, lactic, contrasted with Queijo Serra da Estrela's pungent.
Can You Substitute Innes Log Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Innes Log 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, artisan 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, Innes Log Cheese reads as citrusy, milky, nutty, tangy 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, Innes Log 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, artisan cheese, go with Innes Log 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, Innes Log Cheese suits recipes that want citrusy, milky, nutty, tangy 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 Innes Log Cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Innes Log Cheese originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Innes Log Cheese is made from goat milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep.
Is Innes Log Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Innes Log Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Innes Log Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?
Innes Log Cheese reads as citrusy, milky, nutty, tangy, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho). Aromas also diverge. Innes Log Cheese leans fresh, lactic, and Queijo Serra da Estrela is closer to pungent.
What is Innes Log Cheese made of?
Innes Log Cheese is made from goat milk (unpasteurized). It originates in England, Great Britain and United Kingdom.
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, Innes Log Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Innes Log Cheese is soft, artisan, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).