Pérail Cheese vs Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese

Pérail Cheese is a soft sheep-milk cheese from France, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes and made from cow, goat, and sheep milk.

What Is Pérail Cheese?

Pérail is a soft sheep's milk cheese from Aveyron in southern France, sold in small rounds with an ivory, wrinkly rind. Older wheels taste distinctly sheepy.

What Is Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Picón Bejes-Tresviso is a blue cheese from the Liébana valley in Cantabria, Spain, made from a mix of cow, sheep and goat milk. It has held DO protection since 1994 and finishes in natural limestone caves, which gives it teal veins and a strong, slightly spicy bite.

What's the Difference Between Pérail Cheese and Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

• Milk type: Pérail Cheese (sheep), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk)
• Texture: Pérail Cheese (soft), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes)
• Rind: Pérail Cheese (wrinkly, mainly Geotrichum candidum), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, thin, smooth)
• Aging: Pérail Cheese (2 to 8 weeks), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave)
• Taste: Pérail Cheese (distinctly sheepy in older cheeses), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Slightly piquant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Pérail Cheese Taste Like Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Pérail Cheese reads as distinctly sheepy in older cheeses, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese brings slightly piquant character. Aging plays into this as well. Pérail Cheese at 2 to 8 weeks develops a different profile than Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese at at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave.

Can You Substitute Pérail Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Pérail Cheese can stand in for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Pérail Cheese reads as distinctly sheepy in older cheeses while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese brings slightly piquant notes.

Which Is Better, Pérail Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Pérail Cheese. For a soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes profile, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Pérail Cheese suits recipes that want distinctly sheepy in older cheeses notes, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly piquant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pérail Cheese the same as Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk; Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep. Aging also differs: Pérail Cheese is typically aged 2 to 8 weeks, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave.

Is Pérail Cheese similar to Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pérail Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

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

Does Pérail Cheese taste like Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

Pérail Cheese reads as distinctly sheepy in older cheeses, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is slightly piquant.

What is Pérail Cheese made of?

Pérail Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged 2 to 8 weeks. It originates in France.

What is Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese made of?

Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk. It's typically aged at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave.

Which should I choose, Pérail Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pérail Cheese is soft, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes.