Thanks to a blogger I enjoy reading, The Canada Cheese Man I found out yesterday, January 20th is National Cheese Lovers Day here in the States and living in Wisconsin I am sure you think I am going to talk about WI cheeses. Well sorry I am not, at least not today even though I must admit I have been enjoying the cheeses they make here.
Last year for Portugal Day party here at home I had to have a platter of Portuguese cheeses, as you can see from the platter above.
Portuguese cheese is not very well known here in the States mostly as you will not find it at your local grocery store (unless you live in a Portuguese community) and even at specialized cheese stores. Yet those who love cheese find themselves surprised at our cheese collection. First though let's all try to pronounce the word cheese in Portuguese: Queijo - Kay-jow (make sure there is no "d" sound prior to the J). Tried it?
So, here is a small collection of some of our cheese, those that I bring from Portugal each time I go there.
Queijo da Serra: from the area of Serra da Estrela, a mountainous area in the northern center part of Portugal. This cheese has a strong smell yet has a very smooth texture and taste. It is made of sheep milk and usually only during the months of November through March. It is a very buttery, creamy cheese which melts in your mouth.
Queijo da Ilha: also know as Queijo São Jorge, from the Island of São Jorge, Azores, is made of cow milk. It's taste is very sharp and firm texture with small air pockets. Often it has a spicy taste to it.
Queijo Azeitão: just as its name, this cheese is from Azeitão, an area just south of Lisbon. Buttery and smooth in consistency made of raw sheep milk.
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