São Miguel Queijo Velho, Aged Azores Cow's Milk Cheese

Queijo velho is the long-aged cow's milk cheese of São Miguel, the largest island of the Azores. It is the Azores cheese for people who like character: firm, salty and deep, made to be sliced thin and shared.

Flavour and texture

The paste is firm and compact, easy to cut into fine slices or shavings. Expect a strong, slightly salty taste with clear dairy notes and, often, a gentle peppery warmth that lingers. The rind turns dark as it ages.

Food pairing

Serve it in thin slices with Azorean pineapple or quince paste. Shave it over a salad of tomatoes and onion, or put it out next to bolo lêvedo, the soft sweet bread of São Miguel. For wine, a mineral Azores white from Pico, an aged tawny Port or a Madeira Sercial all hold up to its salt.

About São Miguel cheese

On São Miguel, cooperatives and small dairies cure cow's milk cheese for many months, until the rind darkens. Islanders nickname the style "casta preta" for that dark rind.

Good to know

• Keep refrigerated in cheese or waxed paper, and take it out 30 to 60 minutes before serving
• Aged Portuguese cow's milk cheese from the Azores
• Ask us for a wine match at our bar in Graça