Queso de Valdeón PGI - A Spanish blue cheese appellation
8th Oct 2024
We are always looking for something new and delicious, but so many options and so little time..... so we are trying to make our through the selection, one cheese at a time! Which brings us to our latest addition.
Queso de Valdeón PGI – a robust blue cheese that captures the rugged spirit of the Picos de Europa mountains. Crafted from a blend of cow's and goat's milk, sometimes with the addition of ewe's milk, this cheese is matured to perfection for at least two months when raw milk is used, or one and a half months for pasteurised milk.
Tasting Notes:
Prepare for an intense sensory experience! Valdeón has a bold flavour profile, with a slightly lactic tang, a piquant saltiness, and a subtle hint of spicy heat. The cheese’s rich, caramelized aroma pairs beautifully with its buttery texture, which melts luxuriously on the palate. Its beaten variety offers the same taste, but with a creamier, more spreadable consistency that intensifies as it warms up.
Appearance & Texture:
Valdeón’s natural, rustic rind is thin, soft, and covered with patches of mold, ranging in color from yellow to gray. Inside, the paste is firm and smooth, with an ivory-white to cream hue that darkens toward the edges. Cut into the cheese, and you’ll discover large, uneven pockets of greenish-blue veins, a hallmark of its robust character.
A Taste of the Mountains:
What makes Valdeón truly unique is its origin in the remote Valdeón Valley, nestled between towering mountains in the Picos de Europa region. The area’s natural caves, high humidity, and cool temperatures provide an ideal environment for ripening cheeses, while the local microflora enhances its distinctive flavours. The valley’s rugged landscape and cold winters impart a sense of place that you can taste in every bite.
Each wheel ranges from 0.5 to 3 kg, but even a 200g portion is enough to appreciate its complex flavours. Whether enjoyed on a cheeseboard or spread on crusty bread, Valdeón brings a rich, full-bodied punch to any dish.
Perfect for blue cheese lovers seeking a taste of the wild!
Purchase your slice of Spain here
