apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Valdeon is a mixed milk cheese. Its recipe primarily involves using cows milk, with a bit of goat's and sheeps milk added. This formula is only generally followed, with some examples having a only little bit of goat and others being completely cow. Despite the milk variety, Ive never had a wheel I didnt like. Produced in the Castile-Len area of Spain, Valdeon is briefly aged before being wrapped in sycamore leaves, giving the cheese its unique look (which is stunning presented on a cheese plate).

Since real Cabrales is legal in this country, why do some shops sell Valdeon as Cabrales? Its all about the leaves. Originally, like Valdeon, Cabrales was wrapped in leaves. However, the European Economic Community has dictated that Cabrales must now be wrapped in either plastic or foil. The cheeses are very similar, so some shops have opted to use the better-known name to sell their cheese. Rest assured, no matter what they name it, you will never find a leaf-wrapped Cabrales in this country. Taste-wise, Valdeon is milder, with less blueing. Cabrales can be a very intense, almost metallic affair and, despite the better notoriety, Valdeon is an overall more palatable cheese.

Dont be mistaken, though it is milder than Cabrales, Valdeon is not a toothless animal. It has a good acidic bite to it. The green-ish blue veining, spread amply throughout the cheese, delivers a complex flavor, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee beans and even a lightly charred aftertaste, along with its strong saltiness. Valdeon crumbles and melts easily and is my number one go to cheese for sprinkling over salad. It is also a favorite addition to grilled cheese sandwiches. Like Pt. Reyes Original Blue Cheese, which I reviewed previously, Valdeon is just as suitable on the cheese plate as it is in the oven.

Valdeon is widely available at most quality cheese counters. At its low price (often hovering around the $15.00/lb. mark), its probably one of the best cheese deals around and any shop that doesnt carry it should be viewed with a bit of suspicion. Murrays Cheese carries it under the name Cabrales, for $12.99. Artisanal would be happy to sell you some for $16.25. While, over at Cobblestone Foods, its available for $16.00/lb. Online, iGourmet has it for $13.99/lb (though the accompanying photo is of the wrong cheese).