Manchego cheese is the most popular sheep’s milk cheese in Spain. True Manchego cheese is made from whole sheep’s milk from the “La Mancha” region. The cheese is aged, from semi-cured to cured, and can be unpasteurized or pasteurized. The rind is closed, clean and of a yellow to brownish-beige color while the cheese is ivory to pale yellow. The taste is well-developed, mild, buttery and slightly piquant.
The intense taste and crumbly texture make it perfect to eat it as is. As the focal point of antipasto, Manchego can be served with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, crusty bread and a robust red wine or a dry sherry. It is also equally enjoyable as a snack or dessert with fruit or fruit tarts.