ᐉ Cabrales: everything you need to know in year 2023

Even Spain prides itself on its perfect cheese, known to the world as Cabrales!

This is a perfect aromatic mold cheese that is known for its specific ripening!

Read more about it and maybe try it instead of our Czech classic Niva. We think you won’t regret this decision! It is really delicious!

What is Queso de Cabrales?

The cheese, also known as Cabraliego, is a Spanish semi-hard fat mold cheese. It boasts a Protected Designation of Origin and is exclusively produced in the Cabrales district and in some towns in Peñamerella.

One large round of cheese, cut in half, full of mold. — Source: alqueso.es

How is Cabrales made?

It is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk from cows that graze in fields in the northwestern tip of Spain.

However, it is not an exception that sheep’s and/or goat’s milk is added for a sharper and more pungent taste.

The cheese is left to mature in damp and cool caves. It ages for two to four months in naturally formed limestone caves. Cool, moist conditions make it easier for blue-green mold to grow.

Natural limestone caves full of shelves on which cheeses are placed. — Source: fascinatingspain.com

How does Cabrales taste?

Mature cheese is characterized by a strong, penetrating aroma and a sharp, sour, slightly salty taste. The flavor is often described as wild and spicy, with strong notes of salt that become more intense as the cheese ages.

Nutritional values of Cabrales (per 100 g)

Calorie	Carbohydrates	Sugars	Fats	Saturated fatty acids	Proteins	Fiber	Salt
348 calories	0.1 g	0.1 g	28 g	19 g	24 g	0 g	2.5 g

How to enjoy Cabrales?

This blue cheese is best paired with something sweet like honey or fig jam

Serve it with a wine like Ximénez Sherry. Its chocolate notes balance the salty character of the cheese

It goes well with fresh figs, salami, sweet sherry and dry sausages

Cheese is ideal as a base for sauces, it melts on grilled or baked meat (try these luxurious recipes for grilled meat , or these sausages and sausages or prepare these crispy vegetables )

Goes well with baguette slices, crackers, toasted bread or fruit

Beautiful figs filled with delicious blue cheese. — Source: hispanickitchen.com

Cheese sauce with Cabrales cheese

What will we need

150 g of Cabrales cheese
200 ml of whipping cream
1 tablespoon of butter
ground white pepper
salt

Method

Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan and heat over medium heat
After it dissolves, pour in the cream and continue cooking
Cut or crumble the cheese into small pieces
Add the cheese to the cream and reduce the heat to low
Mix everything well with a whisk to mix the ingredients well and melt the cheese
Reduce the sauce for about 15 minutes at a moderate temperature to thicken
Season with salt and pepper to taste
Remove from heat
Strain the sauce through a sieve until all the lumps are inside the sieve, mash and press them into the pot with a spoon
Return the sauce to the stove to reheat and mix all the ingredients well
Remove from heat and set aside
Serve with meat or fries

Cabrales cheese ranks among the more expensive varieties of cheese. Its price can rise to 600 CZK for 500 g. But in any case, it is worth tasting at least once in your life!

Cream cheese sauce poured over the meat. — Source: dinnerthendessert.com

What to replace Cabrales?

An affordable alternative is Valdeón, but it is not as intense in its taste. It is also made entirely from cow’s milk or with added sheep’s and/or goat’s milk.

This cheese can also be replaced with better-known variants such as Maytag, Roquefort, Gorgonzola or any other crumbly blue cheese, e.g. our Czech Niva.

Taste a piece of Spain with Cabrales cheese! Read more about this delicacy