La Serena cheese

Queso de La Serena is a delightful cheese originating from the picturesque La Serena region in Extremadura, Spain. Made exclusively from the milk of Merino sheep, this cheese possesses a unique character due to the use of cardoon pistils as a coagulant, imparting a slightly bitter flavor.

The cheese undergoes an aging process of at least sixty days. If it develops a creamy center during this time, it is known as Torta de la Serena. Traditionally, this creamy delight is enjoyed by scooping out the inside with a spoon. As the cheese continues to age and harden, it is then referred to simply as Queso de la Serena.

Torta de la Serena stands out from other regional cheeses like Torta del Casar. The key difference is that Torta de la Serena is made solely from Merino sheep milk and uses less rennet, resulting in a milder flavor. It also differs from Portugal's Queijo Serra da Estrela, which, although also made from Merino sheep milk, uses more rennet, giving it a stronger and more bitter taste.

Adding to its prestige, Torta de la Serena holds the esteemed Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring its authenticity and quality.