Castelo Branco cheese facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castelo Branco |
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| Other names | Queijo de Castelo Branco |
| Country of origin | Portugal |
| Source of milk | Goats, ewes |
| Texture | Semi-soft |
| Certification | PDO 1996 |
Castelo Branco (in Portuguese: Queijo de Castelo Branco) is a special cheese from Portugal. It is named after the city of Castelo Branco. This city is the main place in the district where this cheese is made.
About Castelo Branco Cheese
Castelo Branco cheese is known for its soft texture. It is made using milk from either goats or sheep. The cheese has a light, almost white color. It also has about 45% fat content.
How Castelo Branco Cheese Is Made
The way this cheese is made depends on the type of milk used.
- If it is made with goat's milk, the cheese usually takes about 40 days to become ready. This process is called aging.
- If it is made with ewe's (sheep's) milk, it needs a bit more time. It usually takes about 50 days to age properly.
Special Protection for the Cheese
Since 1996, Castelo Branco cheese has had a special certification. This is called a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This means the cheese can only be called "Castelo Branco" if it comes from this specific region in Portugal. This helps protect the quality and tradition of the cheese.
Castelo Branco cheese is one of three special cheeses from the Beira Baixa region. These three cheeses all have the PDO status. This shows how important they are to the food culture of Portugal.
