Spanish cheeses
Encyclopedia
A wide variety of cheeses are made throughout the country of Spain from the milk of cows, goats and sheep, and some of them are internationally renowned, such as the Manchego cheese of La Mancha
La Mancha
La Mancha is a natural and historical region or greater comarca located on an arid, fertile, elevated plateau of central Spain, south of Madrid, stretching between the Montes de Toledo and the western spurs of the Serrania de Cuenca. It is bounded on the south by the Sierra Morena and on the north...
. Some regions are better known for their cheeses than others; 23 cheeses have a denomination of origin
Denominación de Origen
Denominación de Origen is part of a regulatory classification system primarily for Spanish wines but also for other foodstuffs like honey, meats and condiments. In wines it parallels the hierarchical system of France and Italy although Rioja and Sherry preceded the full system...
in Spain and there are countless others which do not. Many of the cheeses are manufactured from single types of milk (cow, goat or sheep), but a few are mixtures of different milks, and the milk may be raw, pasteurized or creamy. The cheeses are made in a wide variety of styles including fresh, cured, semi-cured and pressed paste, and some are inoculated with mold to make blue varieties. There is a huge variation in the presentation of cheeses, from the hard, dark-skinned, two-kilo Manchego to the soft, small 'quesitos'. A list of Spanish cheeses follows, grouped by an alphabetical ordering of geographic regions.
AndalusiaAndalusiaAndalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
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- Queso de las AlpujarrasAlpujarra cheeseAlpujarras cheese is a Spanish cheese from the eastern region of Andalusia. which includes the provinces of Granada, Almería and the Penibética mountain chain. The cheese takes its name from La Alpujarra , a mountainous region which occupies a part of southern Granada province and western...
(P.D.O.Protected designation of originProtected Geographical Status is a legal framework defined in European Union law to protect the names of regional foods. Protected Designation of Origin , Protected Geographical Indication and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed are distinct regimes of geographical indications within the framework...
) - Queso de los Pedroches from raw sheep milk, mostly merino of Sierra de Cazorla, goat milk, cow milk and mixtures of all three
- Queso de Cabra Payoya of GrazalemaGrazalemaGrazalema is a village located in the northeastern part of the province of Cádiz, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range , Grazalema had, as of 2009, a population of 2,205.-History:The Roman villa of Lacidulia, situated in...
, in the Sierra de CádizSierra de CádizSierra de Cádiz is a comarca province of Cádiz .Most of the comarca's territory is within the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, a protected area.... - Quesitos de Zuheros, Córdoba
- Queso de las Alpujarras
AragonAragonAragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...
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- Queso de Tronchón, which was cited by Cervantes in Don Quixote, and made with sheep milk or mixed with goat milk
- Queso Echo y Ansó
- Queso de Biescas
- Queso Patamulo
- Queso de Radiquero
- Queso de Benabarre
- Queso Pañoleta
- Queso de Sahún
- Queso de El Burgo
- Queso Chistabín
AsturiasAsturiasThe Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
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- Queso CabralesCabrales cheeseCabrales is a cheese made in the artisan tradition by rural dairy farmers in the north of Spain. This cheese can be made from pure, unpasteurised cow’s milk or blended in the traditional manner with goat and/or sheep milk, which lends the cheese a stronger, more spicy flavor.All of the milk used...
(P.D.O.) - Quesu d'Afuega'l pituAfuega'l pituAfuega'l pitu is an unpasteurised cow's milk cheese from Asturias, one of four Asturian cheeses to have been recognized with Protected Denomination of Origin by the European Union.The name comes from its tendency to stick to a person's palate...
(P.D.O) - Quesu de Los Beyos
- Quesu CasínCasín cheeseCasín cheese is a Spanish cheese made in the Principality of Asturias and protected by a P.D.O. It is made from full fat unpasteurized cows’ milk from specific breeds, namely Asturian Mountain , Casina, Asturian Valley,, Friesian and any crosses between these breeds...
(P.D.O.) - Queso de Gamonedo (D.O.)
- Quesu de Peñamellera
- Quesu d'Urbiés
- Quesu de La Peral
- Queso Cabrales
Balearic IslandsBalearic IslandsThe Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.The four largest islands are: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain with Palma as the capital...
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- Queso MahónMahón cheeseMahón cheese is a soft to hard white cheese made from cow's milk, named after the natural port of Mahón on the island of Minorca off the Mediterranean coast of Spain...
, Menorca.(P.D.O.) - Queso de MallorcaMallorca cheeseMallorca cheese is a Spanish cheese made exclusively on the island of Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. It has Protected Designation of Origin and is made from the pasteurized milk of cows, goats and/or sheep which live on the island...
(P.D.O.)
- Queso Mahón
Canary IslandsCanary IslandsThe Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
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- Queso majoreroMajorero cheeseMajorero is a goat milk cheese from Spain. Similar in texture to Manchego, this firm cheese has a milky, nutty flavour that goes well with various pear products. It is pale white in colour, and comes in large wheels. Currently it is protected under European Law with PDO status.Majorero comes from...
(P.D.O.) - Queso de flor (P.D.O.)
- Queso palmeroPalmero cheesePalmero cheese is a Spanish plain or lightly smoked cheese from the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. It is made of unpasteurised goats milk and has Denomination of Origin protection. The goats are free to graze on natural wild plants which are available all year round...
(P.D.O.) - Queso de la Gomera
- AlmogroteAlmogroteAlmogrote is a soft paste made from hard cheese, peppers, olive oil, garlic, and other ingredients, which is typically eaten spread on toast. It is native to La Gomera in the Canary Islands.-References:*...
- Queso de Lanzarote
- Queso herreño
- Queso majorero
CantabriaCantabriaCantabria is a Spanish historical region and autonomous community with Santander as its capital city. It is bordered on the east by the Basque Autonomous Community , on the south by Castile and León , on the west by the Principality of Asturias, and on the north by the Cantabrian Sea.Cantabria...
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- Picón Bejes-TresvisoPicón Bejes-TresvisoPicón Bejes-Tresviso is a blue cheese from Cantabria, in the north of Spain. It has been protected under Denominación de Origen legislation since 1994, prior to which it was traditionally known as Picón de Tresviso and Queso Picón de Bejes...
(P.D.O.) is very similar to Galician Cabrales, but also has unique features - Quesucos de Liébana (P.D.O.)
- Queso Nata de CantabriaCantabrian cream cheeseCantabrian cream cheese is made from the milk of Friesian cows in Cantabria, a province in northern Spain. The cheese has a Protected Designation of Origin since 1985. The production of the cheese is confined to all parts of Cantabria, except the areas of Tresviso and Menor de Bejes in the western...
(P.D.O.) - Queso de Áliva, with an aroma similar to smoked beef
- Queso de Brez
- Queso Torta de Potes
- Picón Bejes-Tresviso
Castile and LeónCastile and LeónCastile and León is an autonomous community in north-western Spain. It was so constituted in 1983 and it comprises the historical regions of León and Old Castile...
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- Queso zamoranoZamorano cheeseZamorano is a sheep's milk cheese made in the province of Zamora, Spain. This is a hard cheese which is typically aged about 6 months. The cheeses are turned often and rubbed with olive oil, giving the cheese its characteristic dark color...
(P.D.O.) - Queso de ValdeónValdeón cheeseQueso de Valdeón is a Spanish blue cheese from León. The cheese is made in Posada de Valdeón, in the northeast of the province of León, and is wrapped in sycamore maple , or chestnut leaves before being sent to market...
(P.D.O.) - Queso castellano
- Queso de Burgos
- Queso del Tiétar
- Queso zamorano
CataloniaCataloniaCatalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
A noted cheesemaking region.
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- Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (P.D.O.)
- MatóMATOThe Maťo was an 8-bit personal computer produced in the former Czechoslovakia by Štátny majetok Závadka š.p., Závadka nad Hronom. Their primary goal was to produce a personal computer as cheaply as possible, and therefore it was also sold as a self-assembly kit. It was basically modified PMD 85,...
- Formatge Pallars Sobirà
- Formatge de La Garrotxa
- Tou dels Tillers, of the district of Pallars SobiràPallars SobiràEl Pallars Sobirà is a comarca in the mountainous northwest of Catalonia, Spain. The name means "Upper Pallars", distinguishing it from the more populous Pallars Jussà to its southwest...
- Formatge Serrat
- Formatge Llenguat
- Torró de formatge
- TupíTupiThe Tupi people, Tupinambá, were one of the main ethnic groups of Brazilian indigenous people. Scholars believe they first settled in the Amazon rainforest, but 2,900 years ago they started to spread southward and gradually occupied the Atlantic coast....
(Aran Valley)
Valencian CommunityValencian CommunityThe Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
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- Formatge blanquet
- Formatge de la Nucía
- Formatge de cassoleta
- Formatge Tronchón
- Formatge de servilleta
ExtremaduraExtremaduraExtremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
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- Queso Torta del CasarTorta del CasarTorta del Casar is a cheese made from sheep's milk in the Extremadura region of Spain. It is named after Casar de Cáceres, its city of origin. The milk is curdled using a coagulant found in the pistils of the cardoon, a wild thistle. This ingredient lends a subtle bitterness to the otherwise...
(P.D.O.) - Queso de La SerenaLa Serena cheeseQueso de la Serena is a cheese made from Merino sheep milk in La Serena, Spain, a region of South Western Spain. The pure sheep milk is curdled using a coagulant found in the pistils of artichoke . This ingredient lends a light bitterness to the otherwise slightly salty taste. It is aged for at...
(P.D.O.) - Queso IboresIbores cheeseThe Ibores cheese is a Spanish cheese made from unpasteurized goats’ milk in Extremadura. It has Denomination of Origin protection and is made specifically in the districts of Ibores, Villuercas, La Jara y Trujillo in the south east of the province of Caceres...
(P.D.O.) - Torta de La Serena
- Queso Torta del Casar
Galicia
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- Queso de Tetilla (P.D.O.)http://www.queseros.com/category/quesos-de-espana/galicia/ made from the milk of the Rubia gallega cow
- Queso Arzúa-Ulloa (P.D.O.)
- Queso Cebreiro (P.D.O.)
- Queso San Simón da Costa
Navarra
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- Queso IdiazábalIdiazabal cheeseIdiazabal is a pressed cheese made from unpasteurized sheep milk, usually from Latxa and Carranzana sheep in the Basque Country and Navarre, Spain. It has a somewhat smokey flavor, but is usually un-smoked....
(P.D.O.) - Queso ErronkarikoRoncal cheeseRoncal is a hard, creamy sheep milk cheese. It is made in one of seven villages in the Valle de Roncal of Spain. Roncal enjoys PDO status.-External links:*...
(P.D.O.) - Queso Urbasa, Menhaden sheep milk
- Queso Ribaforada, goat milk
- Queso Cabanillas, goat milk
- Queso Lesaca, cow milk or a mixture with goat milk
- Queso Idiazábal
Basque CountryBasque Country (autonomous community)The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
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- Queso IdiazábalIdiazabal cheeseIdiazabal is a pressed cheese made from unpasteurized sheep milk, usually from Latxa and Carranzana sheep in the Basque Country and Navarre, Spain. It has a somewhat smokey flavor, but is usually un-smoked....
(P.D.O.) shared with Cantabria and obtained from Lachen sheep
- Queso Idiazábal
MurciaMurcia-History:It is widely believed that Murcia's name is derived from the Latin words of Myrtea or Murtea, meaning land of Myrtle , although it may also be a derivation of the word Murtia, which would mean Murtius Village...
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- Queso de Murcia al vinoMurcian wine cheeseMurcian wine cheese is a fatty goats’ milk cheese from the province of Murcia in the south-east of Spain. It has a Protected Designation of Origin. The cheese is made only from unpasteurized goats’ milk of the Murcian breed from registered herds. The term al vino refers to the washing of the rind...
(P.D.O.) a cheese made from the pasteurized milk of Murcian goats - Queso de MurciaMurcian cheeseMurcian cheese is a fatty goats’ milk cheese from the Murcia region of south-east Spain. It has a Protected Designation of Origin. The cheese is made only from milk from goats of the Murcian breed from registered herds which graze freely on scrub and coarse pasture characteristic of that dry...
(P.D.O.) another cheese made from Murcian goat milk but with characteristics which differ from Queso al Vino
- Queso de Murcia al vino