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Azeitão Cheese — traditional dish from Azeitão, Portugal
Snack Vegetarian

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥110kcal
💪5gProtein
🌾1gCarbs
🥑9gFat
🌿—Fibre
⚖️30 gServing

* Per serving · 30 g. May vary.

Allergens

🥛 Dairy

Azeitão Cheese

How to order / say it
Say it Queijo de Azeitão — [kay-joo deh ah-zay-tow]
Order I'd like some Queijo de Azeitão, please.
Locally Gostaria de Queijo de Azeitão, por favor.
Say locally

A semi-soft sheep's milk cheese with a creamy interior.

Why try it?

This cheese exemplifies the pastoral heritage of Sintra's surrounding region, known for high-quality artisanal cheese production and age-old shepherding techniques.

How it tastes

Rich and full-bodied, with a slightly tangy and buttery flavor, the cheese's smooth, creamy texture nearly melts in the mouth. Aromas of the countryside add depth.

Origin & History — first documented: 1850

Dating back to the mid-19th century, this artisan cheese was first produced by shepherds in the Azeitão region near Sintra, slowly crafting a reputation for its distinct taste and texture.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥛 1 liter raw sheep milk
  • 🥛 1 tsp rennet
  • 🧂 2 tsp salt

Method

  1. 1 Heat sheep milk to 33°C (91°F) and stir in rennet.
  2. 2 Let curds form, then cut and drain them.
  3. 3 Press curds into molds and sprinkle with salt.
  4. 4 Age the cheese at cool temperatures for 20-30 days.

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KAH-tah-plah-nah duh tahm-bo-REEL

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Tee-bee-ah deh Brah-ghah

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sar-DEEN-yas ah-SAH-das

Fresh sardines grilled to perfection, often served with a sprinkle of sea salt.

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Ess-PAH-dah cohm bah-NAH-na

Tender black scabbard fish served with sweet banana.

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Fei-jo-ah-dah deh Boo-zee-oosh

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Pown d Lough d Ovar

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Lamb Stew

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All Europe recipes — Portugal — Sintra — Azeitão Cheese
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