Old Manchego Cheese is the ideal cheese for adrenaline lovers. And I say adrenaline, referring to gastronomic adrenaline, because we are faced with a very peculiar cheese, with a taste very different from what we are used to, but just as or more delicious. Always taking into account the tastes of each one.
It is likely that you have tried the old manchego cheese and you do not know it. Or that you are a lover of this type of Manchego cheese and you are not even conscious. It may happen to more than one.
What is certain is that, be it the Old Manchego Cheese or another, cheese is always present in our day to day. And in truth we are not aware. Thousands of recipes call for cheese, either sliced, grated cheese, powdered cheese, gratin cheese, etc. There is always cheese, and if it’s old Manchego cheese, the better.
Old Manchego cheese, the type of Manchego with the most maturity
Old Manchego cheese is a type of cheese that is made from sheep’s milk, exclusively from La Mancha. This type of Manchego is also known as Añejo or Reserva Manchego cheese.
The milk is exclusively from La Mancha sheep because the old Manchego cheese has the Protected Designation of Origin by La Mancha. In addition to its name, it is the Spanish cheese par excellence, the most demanded and most popular cheese in the homes of the Spanish.
The long period of maturation of the old Manchego cheese gives it a peculiar golden hue and a hard and very solid natural rind. A powerful aroma and acid flavor that gives it liveliness and a strong finish, are the most outstanding characteristics of old Manchego cheese.
Other types of Manchego cheese
In addition to the old Manchego cheese, there are two other types of Manchego cheese. These three are distinguished by the maturation time that each of them undergoes. Even so, these three categories belong to the same Denomination of Origin, since they are controlled and made with specific characteristics.
Manchego semi-cured cheese
The semi-cured Manchego cheese has a minimum maturity of 3 months, depending on the size, and a maximum of 5 for it to be considered a semi-cured Manchego cheese. With a mild flavor and creamy texture.
Cured Manchego cheese
With regard to cured Manchego cheese, it has a minimum maturity of 6 months and a maximum of 11. Characterized by a more risque color.
Aged or old manchego cheese
While old or aged Manchego cheese has a minimum maturity of 12 months. Intense flavor with a spicy touch.
Difference between Denomination of Origin Manchego cheese and other types of cheeses
As we well know, old Manchego cheese is from La Mancha Protected Designation of Origin. This label gives it an added value and a highly valued status, both gastronomically and economically.
Many times they will have tried to sell us a cheese like Manchego, but it was not. How can we differentiate an old Manchego Denomination of Origin cheese from another type of cheese?
Next we are going to explain a series of guidelines that this type of old Manchego cheese must comply with so that it is cataloged in such a way and with its respective Denomination of Origin.
Labelled. The name Queso Manchego must be printed on the commercial label of the cheese in question.
Plate of Casein. The Casein plate is a new impression that ensures that in each portion we will have the identification that it is a Manchego Cheese. It is found embedded in the bark with the terms D.O.P. MANCHEGO CHEESE and a series of five digits.
The numbered back label. The back label number is attached to the commercial label with the Denomination of Origin logo. We will identify it in blue or green.
European logo. The distinctive with which the European Union recognizes quality figures, in this case the old Manchego cheese.
Exterior. It has a hard bark, pale yellow in color and presents the impressions of the molds type pleitas on the lateral surface and flower type on the flat faces.
Inside. It is characterized by its firm and compact paste of ivory-yellowish white color. With an acidic, strong and tasty flavor, and something mealy for the more mature ones, in this case, the old Manchego cheese.
Buy old manchego cheese online
Do you want to buy a good old Manchego cheese but can’t find where? Your perfect place is Gastronomic Spain.
We know that living outside of Spain it is difficult to find Spanish food. Especially an old Manchego cheese. For this comes the Gastronomic Spain online store. Your online supermarket with the best cheeses that exist today.
In addition to cheeses, there is also a large catalog of more than 800 products, such as Iberian ham, sea snacks such as Cantabrian anchovies, rosquilletas, wines and all kinds of products that you will not find in your closest supermarkets.
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