Manchego

What is Manchego Cheese?

Manchego DOC cheese is a Spanish cheese made from pasteurized sheep's milk. Named after the arid plains of La Mancha in the heart of Spain, the cheese derives its wonderful nutty and caramel notes from the heat and dryness of the landscape, as well as the unique milk produced by the sheep in these conditions. Exhibiting a mild, nutty flavour with a subtle tanginess, Manchego's taste matures and intensifies with age.

Manchego cheese is typically aged for different periods, ranging from a few months to several years and features a distinctive basket-weave (zigzag) pattern on its rind. The younger, milder versions are often used in dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches, while the older varieties develop a more intense flavour and are enjoyed with fruits and wine.

Manchego cheese is available in wide varieties.

• Fresco: Fresh cheese aged for two weeks. The flavour is rich and mild and is rarely available outside Spain.
• Semi Curado: Semi-firm cheese aged around three weeks to three months. It is supple and moist with a fruity flavour and tangy notes.
• Curado: Semi-firm cheese aged for 3-6 months. The flavour is caramel and nutty.
• Viejo: Firm cheese aged for 1-2 years. The flavour is sharp with a crumbly texture. It has a rich, deep pepperiness to it.