Cabrales Cheese, a Renowned, Rough-Rinded Blue Cheese from Northern Spain

A renowned, rough-rinded blue cheese from northern Spain (region of Asturias), Cabrales is made from blended cow’s, goat’s and sheep’s milk (not in winter when only cow milk is available) . It is aged in naturally-formed caves and has a creamy texture, a complex flavor and a powerful bouquet. Cabrales is salted, wrapped in foil and aged for 6 months in natural limestone caverns. Similar cheeses include Picos de Europa and Valdeon.

As with many others cheese in Spain, Idiazabal is a traditional cheese made by local farmers. It is handmade using unpasteurized cow’s,goat’s and sheep’s milk . This is certainly the most well-known Spanish blue cheese due to the manner in which goat farmers jealously guard its origin and authenticity.

It is easily recognized by its foil wrapping with the Cabrales “Denominación de Origen” Regulatory Board logo. This organization is the only one authorized to monitor and authenticate the origin and quality of Cabrales cheese.

Because this Spanish cheese is mostly made from small, local farmers, more producers make it than usual.Farmers usually associate their production capacity with the quality of their cheese.  This cheese is produced in limited quantities, using traditional farmhouse methods, in small family-run dairies of the township. Raw milk, mainly cow’s milk, is used to produce it. However, as most farmers keep mixed herds, blends with goat’s and ewe’s milks are used in the spring and summer.

A mixture of lactic and enzymatic coagulation techniques at low temperatures start the cheese-making process. The whey is drained slowly and naturally. Then salting of the rind is done by hand. Subsequently, the cheese is aired in ventilated areas for 3 or 4 weeks followed by storage in the caves.

The slow aging process continues in the caves, under cold, oxygenated and very humid conditions. The cheeses are turned periodically until the paste has been completely grown with mold, acquiring its deep blue veining and resulting in a thick texture with the characteristic creamy and piquant flavor.

 The number of U.S. importers listing Cabrales in their catalogues is already significant. Companies like European Imports Ltd in Chicago, Great Ciao in Minneapolis, Swissrose International in New Jersey or Webeco Foods in California are just some examples of these importers. As a consequence, the availability of this Spanish cheese in U.S. grocery stores is starting to be somewhat less unusual. Stores like Whole Foods, Wegmans, latienda.com, igourmet.com and specialty cheese stores are already selling Cabrales cheese. It is usually sold by 1 pound half wheel or ½ Pound quarter wheel for an average of $24/ ½ pound.

Cabrales Cheese Producers:

 ANGEL DIAZ HERRERO - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 59 12

BENIGNO PEREZ FERNANDEZ - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 59 16

CARMEN HERRERO BALLESTEROS - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 59 02

CRISTINA FERNANDEZ GONZALEZ - Sotres (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985945062

CUEVA DEL MOLIN - Carreña (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 8451 32

DIONISIA LOPEZ SANCHEZ - Sotres (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 94 50 31

ELENA DIAZ HERRERO - Carreña (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 50 05

FRANCISCO BADA HERRERO - Cabrales (Asturias)
Phone. +34 985845925

FRANCISCO HERRERO MARTINEZ - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 59 09

FRANCISCO ROJO GARCIA - Canales (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 51 08

GENARO GOMEZ FERNANDEZ - Oceño (Peñamellera Alta)
Phone. +34  985415893

HERMANOS TRESPALACIOS S.C. - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 64 35

HNOS. DIAZ ALONSO - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 65 35

JESSICA LÓPEZ FERNÁNDEZ - Sotres (Cabrales)
Phone. +34   618938044

JORGE ALONSO BARCENA - Carreña (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 52 43

JOSE ANTONIO BUENO GARCIA - Asiego (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 52 58

JOSE BADA HERRERO - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 59 25

JOSE HERRERO VILLAR - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 59 23

JOSE MANUEL DIAZ POSADA - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 65 18

JOSE MIER SUERO - Asiego (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 53 08

JUAN JOSE BADA HERRERO - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 8459 19

JUAN JOSE MIER MIER - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 59 28

JUANA ALONSO MIER - Carreña (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 85 55 36

LORENZO ALONSO GARCIA - Carreña (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 98584 54 54

MANUEL BARCENA DIAZ - Poo (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 52 70

MANUEL FERMIN COTERA GONZALO - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 66 83

Mª ANGELES BARCENA MARTINEZ - Poo (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 54 47

Mª EUGENIA DE PEDRO GONZALEZ - Berodia (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 50 86

Mª JOSEFA FERNANDEZ ALVAREZ - Poo (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 53 54

Mª SOCORRO SANCHEZ LOPEZ - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 66 45

OSCAR TRAPERO MARTINEZ - Oceño (Peñamellera Alta)
Phone. +34  985 41 57 92

PEDRO DIAZ HERRERO - Tielve (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 59 10

QUESERA DEL CARES - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985846658

ROGELIO LOPEZ CAMPO - Sotres (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985945056

ROSA BADA HERRERO - Poo (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  637283288

SAT SIERRA DEL CUERA - Carreña (Cabrales)
Phone. +34  985 84 66 21

VICENTE TOLOSA POSADA - Arenas (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 84 66 47

VICTORIANO LOPEZ LOPEZ - Sotres (Cabrales)
Phone. +34 985 94 50 18