Visited the Isle Grocer popup at The Cheese Shop at UE Square yesterday. It was a good opportunity for me to taste and learn the finer points about Spanish cheese from Yu Lin and Jose, owners of Isle Grocer.
This was one of the 34 fascinating events curated by the Spanish trade office and embassy in Singapore for the annual EatSpainDrinkSpainSG festivities. The last day of this year's celebrations is on 15 Oct 2024.
You still have a chance to join us just by scanning the QR code or click ESDS2024.
The Cheese Shop, Singapore's leading cheese retailer carries fine cheeses from around the world.
Manchego, the best known cheese from Spain. Manchego cheese comes from the Castilla La Mancha region in Central Spain.
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You have heard of La Mancha before.
Remember the novel, The Adventures of Don Quixote · Man of La Mancha from your childhood readings? Yeah, the famous knight-errant was from the land of Spain's most famous cheese, La Mancha.
Manchego is synonymous with fine Spanish cheese but some cheese that do not come from Spain are also labelled "Manchego". So, do look out for the POD or Protected Designation of Origin logo to make sure that you are getting authentic cheese from La Mancha. POD Manchego are made from raw milk from native Manchego breed sheep aged for a minimum of 3 months (before it earns the designation curado or cured).
Let's taste some Manchego brought to Singapore by Isle Grocer.
Manchego 4 months of ripening (produced by Quesos de Hualdo). Made of fresh raw Manchego sheep milk, the texture is firm (but not hard), smooth (as sheep milk is more fatty than cow milk) and has a savoury sweet buttery taste with nice gamey lactic aroma.
Semi cooked Manchego Sigma, 7 months of ripening. Soft, dry, slightly powdery feel, creamy rich savoury, grassy taste and smells like cured ham but still relatively mild.
Manchego 10 months of ripening. Manchego becomes less gamey and lactic the longer the cheese ripens, and fruity taste and aromas emerge.
Okay, obviously, this was just the beginning of my Manchego journey but I must say the legendary cheese has gripped me by the pants. I am now on a long fascinating, delicious learning journey about Spain's cheese icon and culture.
Like a red and white flag in the wind.
Couldn't resist the Carrasco Jamon De Bellota (Acorn-Fed) Iberian Leg Ham. Lovely savoury sweet taste from the melt-in-the-mouth fat.
The Cheese Shop also carries a range of wines from around the world, including Spain.
Of course, there were wines from Rioja but this time Antonio picked Posca del Priorat, from a small wine region in the east of Spain.
The 2024 edition of the long anticipated EatSpainDrinkSpainSG festival is ending on 15 Oct. Enjoyed myself, gained so much weight learnings 🤭
There are still a few events to the finale on 15 Oct. Just scan or click ESDS2024 to join us!
Written by Tony Boey on 13 Oct 2024
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