Queso de La Serena vs Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Queso de La Serena
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese
Queso de La Serena is a soft to semi-hard sheep-milk cheese from Spain, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft and made from goat milk, originating in France.
What Is Queso de La Serena?
Queso de La Serena is a sheep milk cheese from the La Serena district of Extremadura, Spain, curdled with a coagulant from cardoon pistils. Young, with a creamy centre, it is called Torta de La Serena and eaten with a spoon; aged longer it firms up and tastes stronger.
What Is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine is an unpasteurized goat cheese from the Touraine province of France, sold as a small ash-rolled log with a straw running through its centre. The straw carries the AOC seal and a number identifying the producer.
What's the Difference Between Queso de La Serena and Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
- Origin: Queso de La Serena (Spain), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (France)
- Milk type: Queso de La Serena (Sheep), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (goat’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Queso de La Serena (Unpasteurized), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Queso de La Serena (Soft to semi-hard), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Queso de La Serena (Waxy, yellow to ochre), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Gray-blue)
- Aging: Queso de La Serena (60+ days), Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese (Minimum of ten days)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queso de La Serena | Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | France |
| Specific Origin | Province Of Badajoz (21 Municipalities In La Serena) | Indre-Et-Loire And Bordering Cantons |
| Milk Type | Sheep | Goat’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to semi-hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Waxy, yellow to ochre | Gray-blue |
| Aging | 60+ days | Minimum of ten days |
| Taste | Slightly bitter, pleasant | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Queso de La Serena Taste Like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Queso de La Serena at 60+ days develops a different profile than Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese at minimum of ten days.
Can You Substitute Queso de La Serena for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Queso de La Serena can stand in for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Queso de La Serena or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to semi-hard cheese, go with Queso de La Serena. For a semi-soft profile, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is the better fit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queso de La Serena the same as Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de La Serena originates in Spain, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese comes from France. Queso de La Serena is made from sheep milk; Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Queso de La Serena is typically aged 60+ days, Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese minimum of ten days.
Is Queso de La Serena similar to Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queso de La Serena for Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queso de La Serena taste like Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Queso de La Serena made of?
Queso de La Serena is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet. It's typically aged 60+ days. It originates in Spain.
What is Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese made of?
Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum of ten days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Queso de La Serena or Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de La Serena is soft to semi-hard, while Sainte-Maure de Touraine Cheese is semi-soft.