Ossau-Iraty Cheese vs Queso Blanco
Ossau-Iraty Cheese is a homogeneous, uncooked, pressed sheep-milk cheese from France, while Queso Blanco is a cow-milk cheese.
What Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's milk cheese from the Northern Basque Country and Béarn in south-western France. Uncooked and pressed, it is smooth, creamy and firm, and has held appellation d'origine contrôlée status since 1980.
What Is Queso Blanco?
Queso blanco is the white, fresh cheese of Latin America, made by curdling hot milk with an acid such as vinegar. No rennet or culture goes into it, and depending on the country it is crumbled over soups, fried as queso frito, or melted into quesadillas.
What's the Difference Between Ossau-Iraty Cheese and Queso Blanco?
- Milk type: Ossau-Iraty Cheese (sheep's milk), Queso Blanco (cow)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Ossau-Iraty Cheese | Queso Blanco | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | — |
| Specific Origin | Béarn And Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), And Three Communes In Hautes Pyrénées | Latin America |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Raw | — |
| Texture | Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed | — |
| Rind | Natural, smooth, orange to gray | — |
| Aging | Minimum 80-120 days | — |
| Taste | Fruity, herbaceous, nutty | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Ossau-Iraty Cheese Taste Like Queso Blanco?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Ossau-Iraty Cheese for Queso Blanco?
Ossau-Iraty Cheese can stand in for Queso Blanco in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Ossau-Iraty Cheese or Queso Blanco?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese the same as Queso Blanco?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk; Queso Blanco uses cow.
Is Ossau-Iraty Cheese similar to Queso Blanco?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Ossau-Iraty Cheese for Queso Blanco?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Ossau-Iraty Cheese taste like Queso Blanco?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Ossau-Iraty Cheese made of?
Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum 80-120 days. It originates in France.
What is Queso Blanco made of?
Queso Blanco is made from cow milk, using none rennet.
Which should I choose, Ossau-Iraty Cheese or Queso Blanco?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.