Discover Serra da Estrela Cheese
Made by the hands of mountain villages for hundreds of years, Serra da Estrela Cheese is today one of the most appreciated cheeses, both nationally and internationally.
What distinguishes this cheese from others is the fact that it is produced exclusively from the milk of Bordaleira Serra da Estrela sheep, which is curdled with the thistle flower (a plant typical of the region). But in addition to the ingredients, to produce this cheese the ancestral wisdom of Portuguese cheesemakers is also necessary.
Our Pumpkin and Chestnut Cheese Jam is perfect to pair with Serra da Estrela cheese.
How this cheese is made
The process of obtaining Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese begins with manual milking of the sheep. The milk obtained is filtered through white cloths, to later be heated and salted. The recommended temperature is between 28º and 32º degrees. Then the thistle flower, previously ground with salt, is added to curdle.
After the mixture rests for about an hour, the curd is manually cut before going through a new filtering process. This second filtration will remove excess serum.
The cheese is now shaped and goes through the maturation process. In the first phase of this process, which lasts around 20 days, the cheese remains at a temperature between 6º and 12º degrees. During this period, daily washing is carried out.
Once the first phase is complete, the cheese goes into the second phase of maturation, which lasts around 45 days. The temperature during this period should vary between 6º and 14º degrees, humidity should be around 90%-95% and washing and turning are not done daily.
Unique flavor of Serra da Estrela
The end result is a cheese with an intense aroma, a slightly spicy and salty taste and a slightly acidic character. It can have a buttery semi-soft paste and a yellowish white color (traditional Serra da Estrela Cheese) or a semi-hard to extra-hard paste with a brownish orange color, typical of Serra da Estrela Velho cheese.
How should you cut this cheese
The traditional Serra da Estrela Cheese is known for its buttery texture, therefore, when cutting it, it is recommended that a cut be made at the top, passing the knife horizontally, thus forming a kind of lid. You can remove the cheese with a spoon and spread it on homemade bread or toast. If you prefer to slice the cheese, we recommend choosing a cheese with a firmer texture.
How to enjoy Serra da Estrela cheese
This cheese is excellent in itself, as it has a unique flavor that is a hit among cheese lovers. However, for those looking for unique combinations, we recommend enjoying this cheese with pumpkin jam, as tradition dictates in the Serra da Estrela region. For this magnificent cheese we created the perfect sweet to accompany it: Pumpkin Jam with Chestnuts.
Also discover other delicious combinations that we suggest for cheese lovers.
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