How to choose cheese: aged or buttery?

To choose cheese, start with the texture you like and how you plan to serve it. Do you want a firm piece to cut into slices, a creamy paste to enjoy with bread, or a goat's cheese with an intense flavour?

At Herdade do Estacal, you will find sheep's and goat's cheeses from Queijaria Guilherme for everyday enjoyment, a cheeseboard or a gift. Learn about the differences and choose the ones you like best.

Aged or buttery: what is the difference?

“Aged” refers to maturation; “buttery” describes the consistency of the paste. A buttery cheese also goes through an ageing process. So, as well as the name, it is worth getting to know the texture of each cheese.

Among the options we present, the aged sheep's cheese has a compact, firm paste, while the buttery sheep's cheese has a soft, creamy paste. The 230 g Atabafado goat's cheese is a semi-aged cheese, also with a firm texture.

For those who like firm cheese

Choose the Aged Sheep's Cheese, 350 to 400 g. It has a compact texture, a yellowish colour and a well-balanced aroma. You can cut it into slices to serve on a cheeseboard or with bread.

For those who prefer a creamy paste

The Merendeira Buttery Sheep's Cheese, 170 g has a soft paste, a buttery consistency and a pronounced flavour. Serve it with bread or toast, or pair it with a firm cheese on a cheeseboard.

For tasting, take this cheese out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving, as indicated on the product.

For those who enjoy goat's cheese

We recommend the Medium Aged Atabafado Goat's Cheese, 230 g. It is a semi-aged cheese with a firm texture and light colour, an intense flavour and subtle notes of salt and spices.

Add it to the cheeseboard to try a profile different from sheep's cheeses.

How to combine cheeses on a cheeseboard

Combine one 350 to 400 g piece of aged sheep's cheese, one 170 g Merendeira buttery sheep's cheese and one 230 g Atabafado goat's cheese. This way, you bring together a firm paste, a creamy one and a goat's cheese with an intense flavour.

The selection weighs between 750 and 800 g. For eight people, that is about 94 to 100 g per person. Use this example as a starting point and adjust it to the number of guests and the other snacks. Serve with bread or toast.

Goat's cheese preserved in olive oil

The Aged Goat's Cheese Reserva Premium in Olive Oil, 180 g is another option for snacking or including in a gourmet gift. It is preserved in extra virgin olive oil and has an intense flavour, with subtle notes of salt and spices.

How to choose cheese as a gift

If you know the recipient's preferences, choose their preferred texture. To offer a small tasting selection, combine the 230 g Atabafado Goat's Cheese with the 170 g Merendeira Buttery Sheep's Cheese. They are two different options in small formats.

What to check on the packaging

Check the ingredients and allergens and follow the storage instructions for each cheese, including after opening. To choose the quantity, consider how many people will be eating and whether the cheese will be a starter, a snack or part of a meal.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: sheep's cheese or goat's cheese?

It depends on your taste. Among these options, choose the aged sheep's cheese if you prefer a firm paste, the buttery sheep's cheese if you are looking for creaminess, or the Atabafado goat's cheese if you enjoy its intense flavour.

Is buttery cheese suitable for a cheeseboard?

Yes. The 170 g Merendeira buttery sheep's cheese can be served with bread or toast and paired with firm-paste cheeses.

Wine to accompany the cheeseboard

To accompany it, we recommend the Cartuxa Branco 2024 – DOC Alentejo–Évora, served chilled. Try it with the Aged Sheep's Cheese, 350 to 400 g, cut into slices, with bread served separately.

Herdade do Estacal's choice

Our choices are the large Cunca Serpa PDO Cheese, 800 g, and the Gourmet Aged Sheep's Cheese, 800 to 1000 g.

Choose the Cunca if you enjoy a semi-soft, buttery paste. If you prefer a firm cheese with an intense flavour and extended maturation, we recommend the Gourmet. They are two choices to share at the table, with distinct textures.