Queso Camerano vs Scamorza Cheese
Queso Camerano
Scamorza Cheese
Queso Camerano is a soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) goat-milk cheese, while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Queso Camerano?
Queso Camerano is a goat's milk cheese from the Sierra de los Cameros in La Rioja, Spain, sold fresh, tierno, semi-cured or cured. It is known for the basketwork pattern left by the cilla, the wicker mold it is pressed in, and has held protected designation of origin status since 2009.
What Is Scamorza Cheese?
Scamorza is a southern Italian pasta filata cheese, usually made from cow's milk. It is tied with string and hung to dry into a pear-like shape, sold unsmoked or smoked, and works as a substitute for mozzarella in most dishes.
What's the Difference Between Queso Camerano and Scamorza Cheese?
- Milk type: Queso Camerano (Goat), Scamorza Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Queso Camerano (Soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured)), Scamorza Cheese (semi-soft)
- Rind: Queso Camerano (None (fresh, soft); defined with mold (semi-cured, cured)), Scamorza Cheese (natural)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Queso Camerano | Scamorza Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | La Rioja (Rioja Alta, Sierra Rioja Alta, Sierra Rioja Media, Sierra De Rioja Baja, And Other Specified Municipalities) | Apulia And Calabria, Southern Italy |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized (for fresh, soft, and semi-cured); raw or pasteurized (for cured) | — |
| Texture | Soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) | Semi-soft |
| Rind | None (fresh, soft); defined with mold (semi-cured, cured) | Natural |
| Aging | Fresh (0 days), Soft (15+ days), Semi-cured (30+ days), Cured (75+ days) | — |
| Taste | Mild, slightly acidic (fresh); stronger, slightly salty, musty (aged) | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Queso Camerano Taste Like Scamorza Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Queso Camerano for Scamorza Cheese?
Queso Camerano can stand in for Scamorza Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Queso Camerano or Scamorza Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured) cheese, go with Queso Camerano. For a semi-soft profile, Scamorza Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Queso Camerano the same as Scamorza Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso Camerano is made from goat milk; Scamorza Cheese uses cow.
Is Queso Camerano similar to Scamorza Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Queso Camerano for Scamorza Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Queso Camerano taste like Scamorza Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Queso Camerano made of?
Queso Camerano is made from goat milk (pasteurized (for fresh, soft, and semi-cured); raw or pasteurized (for cured)), using kid, lamb or industrial rennet. It's typically aged fresh (0 days), soft (15+ days), semi-cured (30+ days), cured (75+ days).
What is Scamorza Cheese made of?
Scamorza Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Queso Camerano or Scamorza Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso Camerano is soft to semi-soft (fresh, soft); semi-hard to hard (semi-cured, cured), while Scamorza Cheese is semi-soft.