Queso de Murcia vs Ricotta Cheese
Queso de Murcia is a soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) goat-milk cheese from Spain, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Queso de Murcia?
Queso de Murcia is a fatty goat's milk cheese from south-east Spain with Protected Designation of Origin status, made only from Murcian goats in registered herds. It is sold fresh and very white, or cured for at least sixty days until firm.
What Is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from the leftover whey of sheep, cow, goat, or water buffalo milk cheesemaking. The fresh curds are creamy white and slightly sweet, and they turn up in cannoli and cheesecakes as readily as in lasagne and ravioli.
What's the Difference Between Queso de Murcia and Ricotta Cheese?
- Origin: Queso de Murcia (Spain), Ricotta Cheese (Italy)
- Milk type: Queso de Murcia (Goat’s milk), Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Queso de Murcia (Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured)), Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist)
- Rind: Queso de Murcia (None (fresh) / Hard, smooth (cured)), Ricotta Cheese (None)
- Aging: Queso de Murcia (Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured)), Ricotta Cheese (Fresh)
- Taste: Queso de Murcia (Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured)), Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queso de Murcia | Ricotta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Murcia Region | Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat’s milk | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Whey |
| Texture | Soft and elastic (fresh) / Firm and compact (cured) | Soft, moist |
| Rind | None (fresh) / Hard, smooth (cured) | None |
| Aging | Not aged (fresh) / Minimum 60-120 days (cured) | Fresh |
| Taste | Mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / Persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) | Sweet, slightly creamy |
Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Murcia Taste Like Ricotta Cheese?
Queso de Murcia reads as mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured), while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy character. On the nose, Queso de Murcia offers low intensity (fresh) / medium to high intensity with lactic and animal notes (cured), contrasted with Ricotta Cheese's mild. More specifically, Queso de Murcia shows fresh milk, cream (fresh) / butter, hay, dried fruit, caramel (cured), while Ricotta Cheese leans toward depending on milk source. Aging plays into this as well. Queso de Murcia at not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured) develops a different profile than Ricotta Cheese at fresh.
Can You Substitute Queso de Murcia for Ricotta Cheese?
Queso de Murcia can stand in for Ricotta Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, moist. Flavor-wise, Queso de Murcia reads as mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Queso de Murcia or Ricotta Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured) cheese, go with Queso de Murcia. For a soft, moist profile, Ricotta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Queso de Murcia suits recipes that want mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured) notes, while Ricotta Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, slightly creamy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queso de Murcia the same as Ricotta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Murcia originates in Spain, while Ricotta Cheese comes from Italy. Queso de Murcia is made from goat milk; Ricotta Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Queso de Murcia is typically aged not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured), Ricotta Cheese fresh.
Is Queso de Murcia similar to Ricotta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queso de Murcia for Ricotta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queso de Murcia taste like Ricotta Cheese?
Queso de Murcia reads as mild, slightly sweet (fresh) / persistent, lactic, with vegetal and roasted notes (cured), while Ricotta Cheese is sweet, slightly creamy. Aromas also diverge. Queso de Murcia leans low intensity (fresh) / medium to high intensity with lactic and animal notes (cured), and Ricotta Cheese is closer to mild.
What is Queso de Murcia made of?
Queso de Murcia is made from goat milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged not aged (fresh) / minimum 60-120 days (cured). It originates in Spain.
What is Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Queso de Murcia or Ricotta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de Murcia is soft and elastic (fresh) / firm and compact (cured), while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist.