Beira Baixa · Portugal
Queijo de Castelo Branco.
Creamy and yielding on the tongue, Queijo de Castelo Branco unfolds with buttery richness and a whisper of herbaceous grassiness, finishing with a subtle thistle-induced bitterness that lingers like wild herbs on your palate. Its natural rind carries the scent of sheep's milk and earth, while the semi-soft paste melts into a tangy, almost peppery warmth.
Origin
39.9°N · 7.6°W
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Queijo de Castelo Branco is the main PDO cheese of Beira Baixa province in central Portugal, made from raw Merina da Beira Baixa sheep milk coagulated with thistle flower rennet. It has been made in the region for centuries.
PDO was granted in 1996. The thistle rennet contributes a characteristic slight bitterness that defines the cheese.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Sheep · raw
- Family
- Semi-hard
- Rind
- natural
- Age
- 1–3 mo
- Protected
- PDO · since 1996
- Intensity
- 3 / 5
- Texture
- semi-soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Queijo de Castelo Branco's flavour and aroma notes, scaled by the cheese's overall intensity — a quick guide, not a lab measurement.
Aroma
Nutrition · per 100 g serving
What's in a wedge.
A 100 g serving — about a finger-thick wedge. Daily values use the FDA 2020 reference of 2,000 kcal. Expect ±5% variation between wheels.
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for semi-hard cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about ≈1 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Cut thin half-moons or batons from the wedge; trim waxed or inedible rinds as you go.
Store
Wrap leftovers in cheese paper or wax paper — never cling film, which suffocates the rind — and keep them in the warmest part of the fridge.
Rule of thumb: the softer and riper, the longer it needs. Thick pieces need longer than thin — and don't leave cheese out much past two hours.
Pairings · Caseo curated
What goes with Queijo.
30 pairings across 5 categories.
Wine
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Queijo de Castelo Branco are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Queijo de Castelo Branco at the counter?.
These will play a similar role on the board and in the pan.
Take it with you
Want to remember this one?.
Log it, pair it, and keep your own tasting notes — Caseo is free.
