Manchego cheese culture
Cutting Manchego Cheese
To cut Manchego cheese correctly, use a suitable, clean, slightly warmed knife, making even cuts from the centre of the piece. Ideally, prepare only the amount that will be consumed and serve it in thin slices between three and five millimetres thick.
Serving Manchego Cheese
Prepare the board about 30 minutes before serving so that the Manchego cheese reaches between 16 ºC and 18 ºC. For a good tasting experience, start with the milder cheeses and leave the more intense ones for last. Pair it with nuts, jams, or special contrasts, and serve bread or crackers separately. Place the milder cheeses around the outside of the board and the more intense ones in the centre.
Tasting and Pairing
Taste Manchego cheese between 16 ºC and 18 ºC, taking it out of the fridge about 30 minutes beforehand. Eat it in small portions and hold it in your mouth for a few seconds to appreciate its texture, aroma, and flavour. Young or semi-cured cheeses are ideal in the morning, while cured cheeses are better suited to the evening or to varied cheese boards. For pairing, it goes well with wine, beer, bread, honey, jams, or anchovies, always seeking a balance of flavours.
Storing Manchego Cheese
Manchego cheese should be kept chilled, with temperature and humidity controlled. If it is whole, it can be kept for several months in the fridge, between 5 ºC and 10 ºC, wrapped in waxed paper and turned every 8 or 10 days. Once opened, it should be well protected or stored in a cheese container. It can also be preserved in oil, in a cool place, for several months.
Impurities in Artisanal PDO Manchego Cheese
In artisanal PDO Manchego cheese, the natural moulds on the rind are part of its maturation and reflect its living, handcrafted character. Small black spots may sometimes appear near the rind, typical of natural and prolonged maturation; they are not a defect and contribute to its aromas, flavours, and textures.
Identifying PDO Manchego Cheese
PDO Manchego cheese is identified by its characteristic rind, with an external woven pattern and lines on the flat faces, as well as by the casein disc that certifies its authenticity. Its colour varies according to the level of curing, from ivory to brownish tones, and inside it has a homogeneous paste, white to ivory in colour, with a smooth cut surface or small irregular eyes.
Properties of Manchego Cheese
Manchego cheese is a nutritious and complete food, rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, and iodine. Its nutrients help maintain bones and teeth, support muscle development, and contribute to the proper functioning of the body. In addition, its maturation considerably reduces lactose, so it may be better tolerated by some people with lactose intolerance.
