Favorite Top Spanish Cheeses

Spain is renowned for its diverse and delicious cheese offerings. Here are 15 top favorite regional Spanish cheeses you might enjoy on a private food & wine tour of Spain:

1. Manchego:
   • Region: La Mancha
   • Description: Made from sheep’s milk, Manchego is one of Spain’s most famous cheeses. It has a distinct flavor and is often enjoyed with quince paste.
2. Idiazábal:
   • Region: Basque Country and Navarre
   • Description: A smoked cheese typically made from sheep’s milk, Idiazábal has a robust flavor and a firm texture. It is often enjoyed on its own or with membrillo (quince paste).
3. Mahon:
   • Region: Balearic Islands, specifically Menorca
   • Description: Hailing from the island of Menorca, Mahon is a cow’s milk cheese with a smooth texture. It comes in both young and aged varieties, each with its unique flavor profile.
4. Cabrales:
   • Region: Asturias
   • Description: A blue cheese made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep’s milk, Cabrales is known for its intense and bold flavors. It is often enjoyed with crusty bread and a glass of red wine.
5. Tetilla:
   • Region: Galicia
   • Description: Tetilla is a mild, creamy cheese made from cow’s milk. Its name, meaning “small breast” in Galician, refers to its distinctive cone shape.
6. Majorero:
   • Region: Canary Islands, specifically Fuerteventura
   • Description: Majorero is a goat’s milk cheese with a smooth texture and a slightly nutty flavor. It can be enjoyed young or aged.
7. Valdeón:
   • Region: Castile and León
   • Description: Valdeón is a bold, blue-veined cheese made from a blend of cow and goat’s milk. It has a strong flavor and crumbly texture.
8. Roncal:
   • Region: Navarre
   • Description: A firm, sheep’s milk cheese, Roncal is typically aged for several months. It has a rich, nutty flavor and is often enjoyed grated over dishes.
9. Afuega’l Pitu:
   • Region: Asturias
   • Description: This Asturian cheese comes in various varieties, including fresh, aged, and smoked. It is made from cow’s milk and has a unique, tangy taste.
10. Garrotxa:
    • Region: Catalonia
    • Description: Garrotxa is a semi-hard goat’s milk cheese with a natural, grayish rind. It has a mild, earthy flavor and a crumbly texture.Here are five more exceptional Spanish cheeses, including renowned cheeses from Extremadura:
11. Torta de Casar: Region: Extremadura Description: Hailing from the Extremadura region, Torta de Casar is a famous sheep’s milk cheese with a creamy, almost liquid interior. It is often enjoyed by slicing off the top and scooping out the rich, spreadable center.
12. Ibérico:
    • Region: Various regions, including Extremadura
    • Description: Made from a blend of cow, goat, and sheep’s milk, Ibérico is a semi-hard cheese with a unique mix of flavors. It is sometimes coated in paprika, giving it a distinctive appearance and taste.
13. Cana de Cabra:
    • Region: Various regions, including Andalusia
    • Description: Translating to “log of goat” in Spanish, Cana de Cabra is a creamy goat’s milk cheese often shaped like a log. It has a mild and delicate flavor, making it a favorite for cheeseboards.
14. La Serena:
    • Region: Extremadura
    • Description: Originating from Extremadura, La Serena is a creamy, unpasteurized sheep’s milk cheese with a runny interior. It is typically enjoyed by cutting off the top and scooping out the luscious center.
15. Cured Mahon:
    • Region: Balearic Islands, specifically Menorca
    • Description: Building on the popularity of Mahon, Cured Mahon is an aged version of the cheese. It has a harder texture and a more intense flavor, often with a slightly tangy and salty profile.

These regional Spanish cheeses showcase the country’s diverse cheese-making traditions and offer a wide range of flavors and textures for cheese enthusiasts to enjoy.

To experience and enjoy the best of Spain’s cheeses, foods, wines and cultural highlights, contact us about a luxury private Spain food tour of a lifetime.