I guess you can figure out my theme for the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge. That’s right, it’s cheese! I hope you enjoy these posts!
“M” is for MANCHEGO
Yes, going for the obscure. Manchego takes its name from the dry plateau of La Mancha, south of Madrid and not far from Toledo, Spain. Originally named by the Arabs “Al Mansha” (meaning land without water), La Mancha is a vast, dry, flat region with few trees, and scorched by temperatures that can reach 122 degrees F, with minimal rainfall.
Manchego is one of the popular cheeses from Spain. Authentic Manchego is only made from the Manchego sheep’s milk. The farmhouse version is produced from unpasteurized milk while the industrial version is made from pasteurized milk.
The rind is inedible with a distinctive, traditional herringbone basket weave pattern, pressed on it. There are specific differences in Manchego cheeses, depending on their aging period.
Semi Curado – Young Manchego cheese is aged around 3 months are supple and moist. The flavor is fruity, grass, hay with a tangy note.
Curado – Manchego cheese aged for 6 months acquires a caramel and nutty flavor. It has distinct acidity.
Viejo – Manchego cheese aged for a year becomes crumbly in texture while the interior of the cheese acquires a butterscotch color. It has a sweet, lingering taste.
Manchego cheeses are best paired with a sherry.
Martha Reynolds Writes 
this look very good, good site
LikeLike
Thanks, Miguel
LikeLike
I had Spanish Manchego just last night for supper! With Merlot. But I looked up the cheese I had (after reading your post) and Merlot was on the wine pairings list, along with sherry. ~Whew!~ I believe the one I ate was aged 3 months, but it was quite nutty and delicious. The online description reads, “reminiscent of flowers, nuts and lavender, ” but I’m nut so sure about the lavender and flowers part! I ate the Manchego with Milton’s “Everything” crackers, and get this: Wickles Pickles. LOL #LifeofaSingleGirl
LikeLike
Love this, Kim! Glad it paired up well with the Merlot. Hey, I only post what I can find out through my “extensive” research 😉
LikeLike
Well you are doing an excellent job! I buy Manchego often and I didn’t really know that much about it except that it’s from Spain and I like it. Your posts are very enlightening, I read every one!
LikeLike
I’ve been eating more cheese this month. I wonder why? 🙂
LikeLike
Ha! I’ve been learning a lot about grazing cows this month, Elke 🙂
LikeLike
LOL!
LikeLike
The Spring Wine and Cheese weekend sounds great. I think I’ll take a look to see how long the drive would be. Thanks Jim.
LikeLike
I’m learning so much about cheeses! I had to cut almost all saturated fat from my diet and watch the sodium. I despise the fat-free cheese. Do you know if there are any fine-tasting cheeses that are close to fat-free? Hope you don’t mind, but I value your opinion as an expert in cheeses since you’ve done such wonderful research! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m no expert, Clarissa! Really. Just having some fun with an A-Z theme this year. I wanted to do chocolate, but couldn’t find enough to fill the alphabet. 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Unfortunately, no good cheese is close to fat free but I believe the saturated fat in goat cheese, like chèvre, is not a “bad” saturated fat if that makes any sense. I’m not a doctor, but that is what I have read.
Good luck! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, probably feta is the closest!
LikeLike
M,
122 Deg F!! It’s amazing the sheep or grass food suply even survived in that terrain with so little water. Of course “someone” has to say it, so it might as well be me……….With temps like that, maybe it was the “real” reason Don Quixote cracked up?
LikeLike
I’m sure, ZD. 😉
LikeLike
Martha, this upcoming event (wine and cheese tour) may be of interest to your readers…
Spring Wine & Cheese Weekend, April 25-27, Seneca Lake, NY.
More than 30 different Seneca Lake wineries are participating.
Depending on the weather, I may attend because it is close to our home here. Purchasing tickets in advance is not necessary.
Also, consider taking a tour during the summer months when it is absolutely beautiful up here. Here is the link:
http://www.senecalakewine.com/events/trail-events/spring-wine-cheese-weekend.html
LikeLike
Thanks, Jim!
LikeLike
The cheese looks creamier than it sounds (since you mentioned it crumbles). Cheese and sherry. Yum.
Nana Prah
LikeLike
Thanks. This photo is likely of a less mature Manchego, as the crumblier version comes with ripening!
LikeLike
Oh, that’s interesting, Denise. I didn’t know about Manchego before this post. And I’ve selected a different “T” post, so perhaps there will be something new.
LikeLike
We see a lot of that around here, but not one of my favorite cheeses. Your blog inspired me to try to find out something about a cheese my family ate when I was growing up called, Tuma. The domestic variety is available locally. I had forgotten all about it.
LikeLike