Maroilles Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela

Maroilles Cheese is a semisoft cow-milk cheese from France, 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 Maroilles Cheese?

Maroilles is a cow's milk cheese from northern France, sold in rectangular blocks with a moist orange-red washed rind. It is known for its strong smell and takes its name from the village of Maroilles, where it has been made since the 10th century.

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 Maroilles Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?

• Origin: Maroilles Cheese (France), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
• Milk type: Maroilles Cheese (cow's milk), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
• Milk treatment: Maroilles Cheese (pasteurized and unpasteurized), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Raw)
• Texture: Maroilles Cheese (Semisoft), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
• Rind: Maroilles Cheese (Reddish-orange color), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho))
• Aging: Maroilles Cheese (5 weeks for 25-oz size), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho")
• Taste: Maroilles Cheese (Creamy taste, powerful aroma), 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

Taste Comparison: Does Maroilles Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, 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, Maroilles Cheese offers cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, contrasted with Queijo Serra da Estrela's pungent. More specifically, Maroilles Cheese shows pungent smell of cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, light ammoniac, milky, slightly salty, with hints of milk curd, hazelnut, and garlic, while Queijo Serra da Estrela leans toward slightly acidic, strong to slightly strong, slightly spicy/salty. Aging plays into this as well. Maroilles Cheese at 5 weeks for 25-oz size develops a different profile than Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Can You Substitute Maroilles Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Maroilles Cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semisoft 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, Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma 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, Maroilles 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 semisoft cheese, go with Maroilles 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, Maroilles Cheese suits recipes that want creamy taste, powerful aroma 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).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maroilles Cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Maroilles Cheese originates in France, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep. Aging also differs: Maroilles Cheese is typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size, Queijo Serra da Estrela minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Is Maroilles Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Maroilles Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Maroilles Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Maroilles Cheese reads as creamy taste, powerful aroma, 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. Maroilles Cheese leans cellars, wet brick, undergrowth, and Queijo Serra da Estrela is closer to pungent.

What is Maroilles Cheese made of?

Maroilles Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized and unpasteurized), using calf rennet. It's typically aged 5 weeks for 25-oz size. It originates in France.

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, Maroilles Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Maroilles Cheese is semisoft, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).