Queso de Flor de Guía vs Rubens Cheese

Queso de Flor de Guía is a dense, compact, pasty cow, goat, and sheep-milk cheese, while Rubens Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Belgium.

What Is Queso de Flor de Guía?

Queso de Flor de Guía is a full-fat or half-fat cheese from Spain, specifically produced in Gáldar, Moya, and Santa María de Guía in Gran Canaria. It is made primarily from Canary Island sheep’s milk, with up to 40% Canary Island cattle milk and up to 10% Canary Island goat milk. The milk is curdled exclusively using vegetable rennet derived from the dried flower heads of Cynara cardunculus var. ferocissima and Cynara scolymus. The cheese has a cylindrical shape and varies in size from 0.5 to 5 kg. Its texture is dense, compact, and pasty, with a very soft and creamy interior when semi-mature and a harder body when fully matured. The flavor is highly aromatic, acidic, and bitter, with mild burning and astringent sensations. It matures for at least 15 days for semi-mature cheese and over 60 days for mature cheese.

What Is Rubens Cheese?

Rubens is a semi-soft cheese from Belgium, made from cow's milk. It features a washed rind, which often gives it a slightly pungent aroma. The cheese has a creamy texture that is smooth and easy to slice. Its flavor is mild yet savory with a hint of nuttiness. The washed rind contributes to a subtle earthy taste, making it a pleasant choice for those who enjoy milder cheeses. Rubens pairs well with fresh fruits and crusty bread, and it can be a tasty addition to a cheese board.

What's the Difference Between Queso de Flor de Guía and Rubens Cheese?

• Milk type: Queso de Flor de Guía (Sheep (Canary Island breed), with up to 40% cow and 10% goat milk), Rubens Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Queso de Flor de Guía (Dense, compact, pasty), Rubens Cheese (semi-soft)
• Rind: Queso de Flor de Guía (Soft and elastic when young, dark brown and harder when mature), Rubens Cheese (washed)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Flor de Guía Taste Like Rubens Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct.

Can You Substitute Queso de Flor de Guía for Rubens Cheese?

Queso de Flor de Guía can stand in for Rubens Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect dense, compact, pasty bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.

Which Is Better, Queso de Flor de Guía or Rubens Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a dense, compact, pasty cheese, go with Queso de Flor de Guía. For a semi-soft profile, Rubens Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queso de Flor de Guía the same as Rubens Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Flor de Guía is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk; Rubens Cheese uses cow.

Is Queso de Flor de Guía similar to Rubens Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Queso de Flor de Guía for Rubens Cheese?

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

Does Queso de Flor de Guía taste like Rubens Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Queso de Flor de Guía made of?

Queso de Flor de Guía is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, using vegetable (cynara cardunculus var. ferocissima, cynara scolymus) rennet. It's typically aged 15+ days (semi-mature), 60+ days (mature).

What is Rubens Cheese made of?

Rubens Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Belgium.

Which should I choose, Queso de Flor de Guía or Rubens Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de Flor de Guía is dense, compact, pasty, while Rubens Cheese is semi-soft.