<\/span><\/h2>As you can probably guess, Queijo de Évora comes from Évora, the capital of the Alentejo region. It’s made with milk from the same type of sheep<\/b> as Queijo de Nisa (Merina Branca), but with its own production process that yields a noticeably different result.<\/p>
Aged for either 30 or 90 days, <\/b>Queijo de Évora has a hard or semi-hard texture and a salty flavor. <\/b>The older varieties often have a bit of a spicy kick.<\/p>
In many Portuguese restaurants, it’s served as part of the couvert<\/i> (an array of small starters). Traditionally it was preserved in olive oil, <\/b>and you can still find it served this way in some places today.<\/p>
How to eat it:<\/b><\/p>\nSlice the cheese and eat it with some bread or just by itself. <\/b>It’s okay to eat the rind.<\/li>\n<\/ul>Every bite tells a story—from mountain farms to island dairies.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/span>Queijo Serpa<\/span><\/h2>Queijo Serpa is an award-winning cheese<\/b> that’s also from Alentejo and made with raw sheep’s milk.<\/b> It comes from the town of Serpa in the Beja district, located about half an hour’s drive from the border with Spain. <\/b>Aged for 30 days, it has a fairly soft texture, strong flavor, and flexible rind.<\/b><\/p>
One of the most interesting facts about Queijo Serpa is that religious traditions are woven into its production<\/strong> and consumption. For example, the filtering cloth has to be folded exactly 40 times, <\/b>and the finished wheel of cheese should only be cut using four movements of the knife.<\/b><\/p> How to eat it: <\/b><\/p>\nAfter making the customary four cuts, pair slices of Queijo Serpa with freshly baked <\/b>pão alentejano<\/i><\/b> for a regional treat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>Cheese, glorious cheese—order a board full of it and you’re well on your way to an unforgettable meal.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/span>Requeijão<\/span><\/h2>Requeijão is a light Portuguese cheese, <\/b>similar to ricotta. You’ll find it in most supermarkets sold in plastic containers. It’s typically made from cow’s milk<\/b> and has a much more subtle flavor than the other cheeses on this list.<\/p>
Although requeijão is a generic type of cheese, there’s also a specific variety from Serra da Estrela that has Protected Designation of Origin. It’s made from the whey<\/b> that’s separated out during the production of regular Serra de Estrela cheese. Like ricotta, it’s high in protein and low in fat.<\/b><\/p>
Traditionally, requeijão was sometimes mixed into milk, coffee, or soup<\/b> to add extra protein and nutritional value. Today it’s often sprinkled with salt and pepper <\/b>and served with salad, though it’s also common to eat it for dessert.<\/p>
How to eat it: <\/b><\/p>\nFor a classic sweet take on requeijão, pair it with pumpkin jam, nuts, and Port wine.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>Port wine pairs perfectly with requeijão.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/span>Queijo São Jorge<\/span><\/h2>If you like cheeses with a spicy kick, Queijo São Jorge<\/b> is the perfect choice for you. Also known as Queijo da Ilha (island cheese), it comes from the island of São Jorge in the Azores.<\/p>
Unlike most cheeses from the mainland, this cheese is made exclusively with cow’s milk.<\/b> It has a semi-hard texture and an intense nutty aroma<\/b> that grows stronger with age. When buying it from a shop, you can get it whole, cut into wedges, or shredded (<\/b>ralado<\/i><\/b>).<\/b><\/p>
Along with canned tuna and espécies<\/i> (spiced cookies), this cheese is one of the most typical products from São Jorge. <\/b>In fact, the island is renowned for its dairy products in general, and is famously home to more cows than people.<\/b><\/p>
How to eat it: <\/b><\/p>\nThis cheese is delicious by itself, but it’s also a great addition to sandwiches, salads, and pasta.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>Exploring Portugal one cheese at a time. Photo credit: Taste Porto<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/span>Queijo do Pico<\/span><\/h2>Queijo do Pico also comes from the Azores, but from a different island: Ilha do Pico, home to the highest mountain in Portugal<\/b> (which also happens to be a volcano). Its main ingredient is traditionally cow’s milk,<\/b> although some varieties might have goat’s milk as well.<\/b> Queijo do Pico is softer than Queijo São Jorge<\/b> and has a similar texture to Gouda.<\/p>
Queijo do Pico likely dates back to at least the late 1700s,<\/b> and its specific production methods have been passed down over the centuries to preserve its traditional form. It’s one of the most well-known and widely loved cheeses <\/b>from the Azores, perhaps second only to Queijo São Jorge (though of course that’s subjective).<\/p>
How to eat it: <\/b><\/p>\nYou can enjoy Queijo do Pico as a snack, starter, or dessert<\/b>—ideally accompanied by a local wine from Pico.<\/li>\n<\/ul>Portugal’s best-kept secret? It might just be its cheese. Photo credit: Chris<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/span>The best experiences for cheese lovers in Portugal<\/span><\/h2>We’re big fans of food-focused activities, and in Portugal there’s no shortage of fun things to do for cheese lovers.<\/b><\/p>
Whether you want to shop, eat, get a look behind the scenes, or all three, here are a few tips and recommendations.<\/p>One country, countless cheeses. Which one would you try first?<\/figcaption><\/figure>Learn how Portuguese cheese is made<\/h3> No matter which part of Portugal you’re in, you can likely find a local dairy farm or cheese factory that offers guided tours. <\/b><\/p>
For example, in Penalva do Castelo you can visit Parador Casa da Ínsua to participate in a hands-on cheese making workshop <\/b>and learn how to make the legendary Queijo Serra da Estrela step by step. <\/b><\/p>
Visit a small queijaria <\/i>like Monte da Vinha in Évora or a larger factory like Uniqueijo in São Jorge to tour the facilities, see the production process up close, <\/b>and sample the finished product.<\/p>
Tip:<\/b><\/p>\nMake sure to book your tour or workshop in advance,<\/b> as most places require advance notice for these types of experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>This cheese board? Pure Portuguese perfection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Shop for a selection of Portuguese cheeses<\/h3> If you don’t have time to go straight to the source, you can also shop for Portuguese cheeses at gourmet shops<\/b> like Manteigaria Silva or the aptly named Queijaria<\/i>, both in central Lisbon. Buy a few different types to sample right away or pack some into your suitcase<\/strong>—cheese makes for a wonderful souvenir.<\/p>Can’t make it to Portugal? Luckily, it’s also possible to find many of the country’s best cheeses online.<\/b> Whether you’re shopping in person or from afar, here are a few words and phrases that will come in handy:<\/b><\/p>\nCheese – Queijo<\/i><\/li>\nSheep – Ovelha<\/i><\/li>\nGoat – Cabra<\/i><\/li>\nCow – Vaca<\/i><\/li>\nFresh – Fresco<\/i><\/li>\nCured\/aged – Curado<\/i><\/li>\nMild flavor – Sabor suave<\/i><\/li>\nStrong flavor – Sabor forte<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul> Tip:<\/b><\/p>\nIf you don’t do dairy, you’ll be happy to know that there are some spectacular plant-based cheeses made in Portugal. <\/b>The most prominent brand is Muka, whose cashew-based cured cheeses<\/b> are truly incredible. Keep an eye out for it at gourmet shops and on restaurant menus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>Mild, strong, creamy, or aged—Portugal truly has a cheese for everyone. Photo credit: Kolforn<\/figcaption><\/figure>Order a Portuguese cheese board<\/h3> When in Portugal, the best way to sample local cheeses is to order a cheese board,<\/b> or tábua de queijos<\/i>, at a restaurant. It’s the perfect introduction to Portuguese cheese, as you’ll get to try a variety of different types at once.<\/p>
You can also order a mixed board <\/b>(tábua mista<\/i>), which comes with both cheese and <\/b>embutidos<\/i><\/b>, or cured meats, <\/b>including traditional Portuguese sausages. A few of our favorite places to enjoy delicious tábuas<\/i> in Lisbon are Momentos (which is also a cheese and wine shop), By the Wine, and Taberna at Bairro do Avillez.<\/p>Exploring a cheese shop in Lisbon is like unwrapping a delicious history lesson. Photo credit: Jeremy Thompson<\/figcaption><\/figure>