Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is a soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes cow, goat, and sheep-milk cheese, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.
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 Is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk type: Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
- Texture: Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, thin, smooth), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Slightly piquant), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Origin | Liébana District (Potes, Pesaguero, Cabezón De Liébana, Camaleño, Castro Cillorigo, Tresviso, Vega De Liébana, And Peñarrubia) | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes | Firm |
| Rind | Soft, thin, smooth | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | At least 2 months in a natural limestone cave | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Slightly piquant | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese reads as slightly piquant, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese shows powerful, slightly spicy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese at at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese can stand in for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese reads as slightly piquant while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes cheese, go with Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese. For a firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese suits recipes that want slightly piquant notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk; West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is typically aged at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese reads as slightly piquant, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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.
What is West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.