(Serra da Estrela Cheese)
Serra da Estrela is a semi-soft cheese made from the milk of Bordaleira Serra da Estrela and Churra Mondegueira breeds of sheep. Milking is done by hand, after which the milk is heated, salted, and curdled using thistle extract.
The curd is formed into cheeses, which are left to ripen in humid and cold conditions. The cheese has a creamy, semi-soft interior that is yellowish-white in color, while its flavor is clean, sweet, and slightly sour. This cheese is Portugal's oldest, most traditional food product with international acclaim.
In the 13th century, the king of Portugal opened the first cheese market in Celorico da Beira, in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, where the cheese is still produced today. This cheese was even present on some of the first ships to sail to the New World.
Serra da Estrela is traditionally consumed as an appetizer or dessert, and it pairs well with regional wines from the Dão region and broa—local cornbread. A product rich in tradition and culture, Serra da Estrela cheese is the pride of the region, and it is considered the father of all sheep cheeses in Portugal.
Pairing tips
Ruby Port
Ruby is the most common and the freshest style of fortified port wines. Made from various red grapes, Ruby ports are usually aged for three years, typically in ... Read more
Mencía
Mencía or Jaen is a grape whose origin is associated with the Iberian peninsula. In the past, it was believed that Mencía and Jaen are ... Read more
Port
Port is a fortified wine that has its origins in the Duoro Valley. It is produced from various grape varieties, though Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca, Tinta ... Read more
Tawny Port
Tawny is a variety of fortified port that is usually oak-aged for around seven years (Reserva), but vintages may extend to ten, twenty, and even over forty years ... Read more
Serve with
Broa
Broa is a Portuguese bread made from yellow cornmeal, yeast, and a combination of wheat and rye flour. It is characterized by a thick crust on the exterior, and a tender,... Read more
