Best Spanish Cow's Milk Cheese Types
Idiazabal is a traditional cheese made solely from raw sheep’s milk from the Latxa and Carranzana breeds, manufactured in the Basque Country and Navarre, Spain. It is a semi-hard cheese with a light brown rind and smooth texture.
While aging for a minimum of two months, Idiazabal develops a complex flavor with buttery and nutty aromas. This cheese had been traditionally stored near the fireplace, which produced a subtle smokey and sweet aroma without the cheese being directly smoked.
Nowadays, this cheese is sometimes lightly smoked to develop a flavor emulating that of cheese made the old-fashioned way.
Pair with
THE BEST Idiazabal Cheeses
Arzùa-Ulloa is a cheese made from raw or pasteurized cow’s milk. This cheese is produced in Galicia, in Northwestern Spain, where it matures for at least 6 days. It is a mild cheese whose flavor is reminiscent to that of butter and yogurt.
The cheese has a smooth and somewhat waxy rind dotted with blue or white mold spots. The interior hides a smooth, velvety texture and is white to pale yellow in color. Arzùa-Ulloa is often served as a component of a dessert, but it can also be melted over toasted bread.
Pair with
One of the great blues of Europe, this Spanish cheese is produced in the Picos de Europa Mountains, namely the valley of Valdeón. The smooth and creamy Valdeón blue cheese is made from either pure cow's milk or a combination of cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk.
It is matured for about 45-60 days and sold wrapped in sycamore maple or chestnut leaves. Although it has all the character of a blue and a very intense, piquant flavor, Valdeón's bite is not as strong as the one in most other blue cheeses.
It is best paired with sherry and young, fresh white wines, which offer a good counterpoint to Valdeón's richness and pungency.
Pair with
Cebreiro is an unripened or ripe, mushroom-shaped cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk produced in the province of Lugo. Monks from the village of Cebreiro first started making this cheese in the 9th century. The whole milk used in the making of this cheese comes from Galician blond, brown Swiss and Friesian cows.
Unripened Cebreiro is white, grainy and soft, very creamy in texture and melts in the mouth. The flavor is slightly sharp and piquant. The ripe version of this cheese is more yellow in color, harder and denser in texture, and has a more pronounced piquancy and sharpness.
Queso Tetilla is an aged semi-soft cheese made with the milk of Friesian, Swiss Brown and Rubia Galega cows in the region of Galicia. This cheese, ripened for a minimum of 7 days, has a typical pear-like shape with a pointed top, which is the reason why it's called tetilla, meaning nipple in Spanish.
Its flavor is distinctively mild and buttery, with aromas similar to those of vanilla and walnuts. Queso Tetilla is usually paired with jamón Serrano, chorizo, membrillo, and a glass of wine.
Originating from the Cantabrian Mountains and traditionally produced within the Redes Natural Park in the Province of Asturias, Casín is a semi-hard to hard cheese made with raw, whole milk from the Asturiana de la Montaña, Asturiana de los Valles, and Frisona cow breeds.
It exudes a strong, persistent aroma of lush pastures, and has a well-rounded flavor: buttery to slightly bitter and spicy. The versatile Casín can be enjoyed on its own but it is also often used for preparing a number of delicious croquettes, fritters, Asturian cachopos, stuffed baked apples or even cheese ice cream!
Mahón-Menorca is a full-fat pressed paste cheese, made from pasteurized or raw full-fat milk from Brown Swiss, Friesian or Menorcan cows. This cheese is traditionally manufactured on the island of Menorca from local cows' milk. The milk must be fresh and without any preservatives or processed in any way.
Molded by hand and wrapped in a cotton cloth, Mahón cheese is then ripened for at least 21 days, and can be cured for up to 150 days. The flavor of this cheese is intense and complex, with a slight tang combined with notes of butter and hazelnuts.
San Simón da Costa is a cheese made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk of the Galician blond, Swiss brown, and Friesian breeds in the District of Terra Chá, in the province of Lugo. It is sold in two versions; large, which is aged for a minimum of 45 days, weighing between 0,8 and 1,5 kg, and the smaller Bufón, aged for at least 30 days with a final weight of between 0,4 and 0,8 kg.
This cheese acquires its typical ochre-yellow color and aroma through the smoking process, for which only birch from the local woods is used. It is sometimes immersed in olive oil to inhibit the growth of mold. For an interesting twist, the young and smoky San Simón da Costa is best enjoyed with homebaked bread and sweet caramelized apple marmalade.
Pair with
Afuega'l Pitu is one of the most famous and oldest Spanish cheeses. It is a full-fat cheese, made from pasteurized whole cows’ milk, that has a very sharp and piquant flavor and is sometimes seasoned with a mixture of paprika and chili powder.
It is slightly salty and acidic, creamy and soft in texture and has a mild aroma. The majority of this cheese is made during the winter and spring in the municipality of Grado. Afuega'l Pitu is cone shaped, usually weighs between 200 and 600 grams, and is white to orange in color.
Mató is a sweet, unsalted, unfermented, fresh cheese produced in the Spanish region of Catalonia. It is traditionally served as a dessert with honey or jam, known as mel i mató. In Catalonia, the cheese is regularly sold when only a day or two old, when it is turned out of the shallow baskets in which it has been drained.
Visually, mató is reminiscent of ricotta, curd cheese, or cottage cheese. In the past, the cheese was made with goat's milk because no one could afford to buy a cow, but today it is made with cow's milk as well. Mató was extremely popular during the Middle Ages, when it was either made plain or flavored with orange flowers.
Best Spanish Cow's Milk Cheese Producers
Galbani Cheese is an iconic Italian brand that has been producing high-quality cheese for over a century. Founded in 1882 in Italy, it is renowned for its rich tradition of craftsmanship and expertise in cheese-making. Galbani offers a wide range of cheeses, including mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and mascarpone, each made with the finest ingredients to deliver exceptional flavor and texture.
Galbani's mozzarella is especially popular, widely used in pizzas, pastas, and salads, and is loved for its delicate texture and creamy taste. The brand is committed to maintaining traditional production methods while innovating to meet the demands of modern consumers.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2019

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2016, 2012, 2010
BEST Galbani Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Valle de San Juan Cheeses
Galmesán is a cheese producer located in Arzúa, Galicia, Spain. They specialize in producing a hard cheese known as "Galmesán," which is often compared to Italian Parmesan or Grana Padano. The cheese is made from cow's milk and undergoes a maturation process of approximately 12 months.
Galmesán cheese is known for its granular texture and rich, nutty flavor. The company focuses on traditional methods combined with modern technology to ensure the quality of their cheeses.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Galmesán Cheeses
Quesos Cerrato is a Spanish cheese producer based in Palencia, Spain. The company specializes in a variety of cheeses, including sheep, goat, and mixed milk cheeses. Quesos Cerrato is part of a cooperative group, which emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices and the promotion of local farming.
The cheeses produced by Quesos Cerrato have been awarded nationally and internationally, reflecting their commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024
BEST Quesos Cerrato Cheeses
Quesos Rey Silo is a Spanish cheese producer located in Asturias, specializing in artisanal cheeses, notably the Afuega'l Pitu, one of the oldest cheeses in Spain. They focus on creating cheeses using traditional methods and high-quality, local milk.
Their products often feature a distinctive, strong flavor and a creamy texture, enhanced through natural aging processes.
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Quesos Rey Silo Cheeses
Best Spanish Cow's Milk Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
Crema De Queso Camembert is a specialized dairy product produced by Quesería Lafuente. This product is known for its rich, creamy texture and distinctive flavor derived from Camembert cheese. It is typically used as a spread for bread, crackers, or as an ingredient in various culinary dishes.
The cream cheese is crafted to maintain the authentic taste of traditional Camembert, providing a smooth and luxurious experience.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2021
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024
Galmesán Galician Cheese is a premium product crafted by Galmesán, a cheese producer based in Galicia, Spain. This cheese is known for its unique flavor profile, which is the result of a meticulous aging process. The cheese is typically aged for several months, allowing it to develop a rich, nutty taste and a firm texture.
The milk used in the production is sourced from local dairy farms, ensuring high quality and freshness.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
The product Galbani Ricotta Made with Whole Milk, produced by Galbani Cheese, is a rich and creamy cheese that retains a delicate flavor profile. It is made using whole milk, which contributes to its smooth texture and mild, slightly sweet taste. This ricotta cheese is commonly used in Italian cooking, ideal for recipes such as lasagna, stuffed pasta shells, and ricotta cheesecake.
It is available in various sizes and is packaged to maintain freshness. Lactalis American Group emphasizes its heritage of Italian cheese-making in its marketing of the Galbani brand, aiming for authenticity and quality.
AWARDS

American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023

World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
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