Soft Cheese vs Torta del Casar Cheese

Soft Cheese is a spreadable, smooth to runny cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese, while Torta del Casar Cheese is very soft and spreadable and made from sheep milk, originating in Spain.

What Is Soft Cheese?

Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.

What Is Torta del Casar Cheese?

Torta del Casar is a sheep's milk cheese from Extremadura, Spain, curdled with cardoon thistle rather than animal rennet. Aged at least sixty days, it goes creamy in the center, so it is eaten by slicing off the top and scooping out the inside.

What's the Difference Between Soft Cheese and Torta del Casar Cheese?

• Milk type: Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep), Torta del Casar Cheese (sheep's milk)
• Texture: Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny), Torta del Casar Cheese (Very soft and spreadable)
• Rind: Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed), Torta del Casar Cheese (Dry but slightly sticky)
• Aging: Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month), Torta del Casar Cheese (About two months)
• Taste: Soft Cheese (mild), Torta del Casar Cheese (Rich, slightly bitter)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Soft Cheese Taste Like Torta del Casar Cheese?

Soft Cheese reads as mild, while Torta del Casar Cheese brings rich, slightly bitter character. Aging plays into this as well. Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month develops a different profile than Torta del Casar Cheese at about two months.

Can You Substitute Soft Cheese for Torta del Casar Cheese?

Soft Cheese can stand in for Torta del Casar Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect spreadable, smooth to runny bite and body where the recipe calls for very soft and spreadable. Flavor-wise, Soft Cheese reads as mild while Torta del Casar Cheese brings rich, slightly bitter notes.

Which Is Better, Soft Cheese or Torta del Casar Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a spreadable, smooth to runny cheese, go with Soft Cheese. For a very soft and spreadable profile, Torta del Casar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Soft Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Torta del Casar Cheese fits dishes calling for rich, slightly bitter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Soft Cheese the same as Torta del Casar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Torta del Casar Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Soft Cheese is typically aged unmatured to about 1 month, Torta del Casar Cheese about two months.

Is Soft Cheese similar to Torta del Casar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Soft Cheese for Torta del Casar Cheese?

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

Does Soft Cheese taste like Torta del Casar Cheese?

Soft Cheese reads as mild, while Torta del Casar Cheese is rich, slightly bitter.

What is Soft Cheese made of?

Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.

What is Torta del Casar Cheese made of?

Torta del Casar Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus) rennet. It's typically aged about two months. It originates in Spain.

Which should I choose, Soft Cheese or Torta del Casar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny, while Torta del Casar Cheese is very soft and spreadable.