Portuguese

In a country of mountains and fine pasture lands, tending flocks for cheese making is an important part of economical and gastronomical culture. Portugal currently produces upwards of 13 PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status cheeses, a uniquely exquisite selection made from sheep, cow, and goat’s milks. And while the textures, flavors and shapes may vary from region to region, the country’s cheese traditions remain consistent. Trade secrets have been passed down from generation to generation, and to this day, many cheeses are still made by hand.

You, too, can savor the artistry and craftsmanship of Portuguese cheese by trying one (or several) of these fine varieties:

Azeitao

It’s said that only experienced artisans have the know-how to produce this gourmet favorite. Made for generations at the foot of the Arrabida Mountains, this unpasteurized sheep’s milk cheese is handcrafted with thistle flower instead of animal rennet. The result is a thick, smooth, and soft cheese with a strong, earthy aroma. When ripe, Azeitao has a rich, creamy, slightly sour flavor with hints of flowers or sweet herbs. When left at room temperature, the cheese becomes almost melty.

Castelo Branco

This type of sheep or goat’s milk cheese is common all over Portugal, particularly in the regions of Idanha-a-Nova and Fundao. But the most famous variety hails from the Castelo Branco, the area that lends the cheese its name. White to straw yellow in color, the semi-soft cheese has a natural rind and a very intense aroma and spicy flavor. It is best eaten as a dessert or snack.

Sao Jorge

This artisan cow’s milk cheese is produced in tiny factories on the island of Sao Jorge in the Azores Islands. Firm to semi-firm, it has a yellowish color and small “eyes” reminiscent of fine English cheddar. The dark yellow rind is hard and smooth and sometimes dotted with brownish-red spots or coated with paraffin. Sao Jorge has a strong, clean aroma and a lightly spicy taste.

Serpa

Perhaps the most famous traditional cheese in southern Portugal, Serpa gets its strong scent and spicy flavor from the unique climate, soil and pasture of the Alentejo region. Made from sheep’s milk, the cheese is curdled with vegetable rennet and wrapped in cloth to mature. Inside the natural rind, the flesh is so creamy that it almost spills when cut. Serpa is one of the most genuinely crafted and high quality cheeses from Portugal.

Serra da Estrela

Famous the world over as the “King of Portuguese Cheese,” this sheep’s milk variety has been made for centuries by shepherds in the Serra da Estrela Mountains in Beira. It is crafted entirely by hand under rigorous rules – even the curds are broken up manually. Soft and almost spreadable, the white cheese has a smooth, thin, straw-colored rind and an unmistakable aroma and flavor. It’s often described as having a clean, perfumed bouquet, and a sweet finish that hints of burnt toffee.

Terrincho

Originating from the Tras-os-Montes region of Portugal, this sheep’s milk cheese is characterized by a cylindrical shape and a flat, even rind that's covered with paprika. Inside, the straw colored flesh has an oily texture and a soft, smooth flavor. One variety of Terrincho is cured in wooden barrels filled with rye to give it a distinctive rye taste.