TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Spanish Waxed Rind Cheese Types
Manchego curado is a variety of Manchego cheese that's in the third stage of aging. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and it's aged from 3 to 6 months. The texture is semi-firm, smooth, and creamy. The flavors are mild, pleasant, sweet, nutty, caramel-like, and slightly piquant.
Due to the fact that Manchego curado melts very well, it's often used in quesadillas.
Pair with
THE BEST Manchego curado Cheeses
Quesería Artesanal Las RRR
Queso de Oveja Gran Reserva Piparra al Romero
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold 2024, 2021
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.
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Manchego viejo is a variety of Manchego cheese that's in the fourth and final stage of aging. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and it ages from a year to two years in natural caves. The texture is firm and crumbly, while the color is deep and rich yellow.
The flavors are complex and deep, with a sharp kick and a slightly peppery edge. Manchego viejo is usually grated or crumbled over salads and pasta, but it can also be eaten on its own.
Pair with
THE BEST Manchego viejo Cheeses
Quesos Villajos
Queso Manchego Artesano DOP Añejo
Concurso Internacional de Frankfurt - Gold 2025, 2023
Manchego fresco is a variety of Manchego cheese that's in the first stage of aging. The cheese is made from sheep's milk. Manchego fresco is bone white in color and it's aged for about two weeks. The aromas and flavors are fresh, mild, and milky.
Its texture is similar to goat's cheese, but the flavors are much richer and more buttery. This variety of Manchego is usually produced in small and limited quantities, so it can be hard to find the cheese. It's recommended to pair it with sparkling whites or dry sherry.
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Manchego semicurado is a variety of Manchego cheese that's in the second stage of aging. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and it's aged from three weeks to four months. Its texture is semi-firm, while the flavors are somewhat milder than the curado variety (aged from 3-6 months).
Pair with
THE BEST Manchego semicurado Cheeses
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