Goat's Milk Cheeses is a subcategory of regional Spanish specialities made from goat's milk, represented by Ibores from Extremadura, Majorero from the Canary Islands, Murcia in Wine with its purple rind and Payoya Semicurado from Andalusia. The range is complemented by soft and spreadable cheeses from La Casota and Elvira García, including the unusual speciality Musgo, which ages under a layer of moss. Goat's milk cheeses typically have a more pronounced, "goaty" note and less fat than cow's milk cheeses.
How to find your way around this category
Ibores is a harder cheese from Extremadura with a more piquant flavour, often rubbed with paprika or oil. Majorero comes from the island of Fuerteventura and has a firm texture with a hint of saltiness. Murcia in Wine is bathed in red wine, which gives it its characteristic purple rind and a gently winey flavour. Payoya is an Andalusian speciality made from the milk of goats of the Payoya breed.
Soft and spreadable cheeses (La Casota, Elvira García) are suited to bread, while firmer semicurado varieties are better for a cheeseboard.
Goat's milk cheeses - an overview of the specialities
Cheese
Region
Characteristics
Ibores
Extremadura
Harder, more piquant, rind rubbed with paprika/oil
Majorero
Canary Islands (Fuerteventura)
Firm texture, a hint of saltiness
Murcia in Wine
Murcia
Purple rind, gently winey flavour
Payoya
Andalusia (Cádiz)
Balanced, slightly acidic flavour
Musgo
An unusual ageing method
Ages under a layer of moss, complex flavour
You will always find the specific weight and degree of ageing in the product detail.
Why Musgo is an interesting speciality
Musgo from Elvira García is an unusual goat's milk cheese that ages under a natural layer of moss (musgo is the Spanish word for moss). This traditional ageing method gives the cheese a complex, earthy flavour and sets it apart from ordinary goat's milk cheeses ageing in a conventional rind. It is a rarer, premium speciality for lovers of unusual flavours.
Spreadable goat's milk cheese is an ideal choice for quick preparation - simply spread it on fresh bread or toast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between goat's milk and sheep's milk cheese?
Goat's milk cheeses usually have a more pronounced, "goaty" note and less fat, while sheep's milk cheeses are fuller and nuttier thanks to the higher fat content of sheep's milk.
Why does Murcia in Wine cheese have a purple rind?
During ageing the cheese is bathed in red wine, which gives it the characteristic purple colour of the rind and a gently winey flavour.
What is special about Musgo cheese?
Musgo ages under a natural layer of moss, which gives it a complex, earthy flavour different from that of ordinary goat's milk cheeses.
What is spreadable goat's milk cheese suitable for?
It is ideal on fresh bread, on toast or as a quick snack, or as part of a cold platter.
Which goat's milk cheese should you choose for a first tasting?
For a first acquaintance the milder Payoya Semicurado or a soft goat's milk cheese from La Casota is suitable, while the more pronounced Ibores or Musgo are rather for more experienced tasters.
The consistency (soft versus semicurado) and the intensity of the flavour. Also: choose more pronounced and more piquant cheeses such as Ibores rather for a cheeseboard.
What we base this on
On regional production traditions and on information from the producers La Casota, Elvira García and Quesería Cultivo. Also: we verify the specific region and ageing method with the individual products.
Where the limits are
Specialities such as Musgo may be available only to a limited extent. Also: you will find the current stock availability in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
Neither sheep's milk nor cow's milk cheeses. Also: you will find those in the corresponding subcategories.