Azores · Portugal
Queijo do Pico.
A whisper of a cheese, Queijo do Pico greets you with a gentle brine-kissed aroma and the yielding texture of fresh cream. Its mild, slightly tangy paste carries the clean salinity of Atlantic winds—more ocean spray than funk—while the soft rind hints at the careful washing that coaxes out subtle complexity without demanding attention.
Origin
37.8°N · 25.5°W
The story
How it's made.
Why it tastes that way.
Queijo do Pico is a small, soft, washed-rind cheese from Pico island in the Azores, produced since the Portuguese settlement of the island in the 15th century.
Unlike São Jorge, Pico is eaten young and has a much milder character. PDO was granted in 1996.
Production · spec
- Milk
- Cow · raw
- Family
- Washed-rind
- Rind
- washed
- Age
- 0–1 mo
- Protected
- PDO · since 1998
- Intensity
- 2 / 5
- Texture
- soft
Tasting profile
What it tastes like.
These bars are a visual read of Queijo do Pico'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.
Estimated values — based on similar cheese family data
Serve, cut & store
Out of the fridge,
into its prime.
Guidance for washed-rind cheeses — general practice, not a per-wheel measurement.
Rest
Take it out about 1.5–2 h before serving — cold stiffens the fat and locks up the aromas; cool room temperature is when the flavour shows up.
Cut
Slice in wedges with the rind on — or for a very ripe wheel, take off the top and spoon.
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.
42 pairings across 6 categories.
Wine
Beer & Cider
Where to find it
Cheese counters.
Counter listings for Queijo do Pico are being verified. Check back soon.
Verified counter listings coming soon. Our team updates listings monthly.
Substitutes
No Queijo do Pico 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.
