Cheese Database

Queijo de Azeitão vs Serpa cheese

Queijo de Azeitão

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Soft
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Portugal
Place
Azeitão, Setúbal

Queijo de Azeitão is a small sheep's milk cheese from Azeitão, in Setúbal, Portugal. It is made from raw milk and set with a coagulant from cardoon thistle, not with animal rennet. The wheels are short and flat, with a thin yellow rind and a pale, buttery paste. When ripe, the center can turn soft enough to spoon. The flavor is salty, tangy, and lightly sharp, with a clean sheep aroma.

Serpa cheese

Facts

Milk
Sheep
Texture
Semi-soft
Type
Pressed
Rind
Natural rind
Country
Portugal
Place
Alentejo

Serpa cheese is a semi-soft sheep's milk cheese from Portugal. It is formed in low rounds, with a thin straw-colored rind and a pale, moist paste. Thistle rennet, drawn from the cardoon flower, sets the milk and shapes the aroma. A young cheese can be soft enough to spoon, while an older one turns firmer and spicier. Sheep's milk and that vegetable rennet define the style.