Torta Cheeses

Creamy torta-style cheese. Full bodied with balanced bitterness. Try spreading on toast. Winner: Silver at the World Cheese Awards 2023 Winner: Gold at the World Cheese Awards 2024 There is a tradition in South West Spain, and over the border in Portugal, of making sheep's milk cheeses called "torta" using thistle rennet, resulting in full flavoured cheeses with a soft, sometimes liquid interior. Finca Pascualete is an interesting example of this unique style of cheese. La Retorta has a smooth, dense and creamy texture and ochre, pungent rind with aromas of mustard and dry hay. Rich in flavour with a pleasant bitterness at the finish. Learn more about this unique cheese, watch the video here. Net weight: Available in two variants: approx. 160g and approx. 480g

Fragrant, delicate and silky. Perfect for dipping. A modern take on a torta. Cañarejal is a torta style cheese with a soft, silky centre and a fresh mushroom aroma. The flavour is mild, slightly sweet and richly creamy. Perfect for a dinner party, make sure you keep it at room temperature for at least an hour prior to consumption. Cut the top off and scoop the interior out with some breadsticks or crudités. A 1-star Great Taste Awards winner in 2024 and Silver at the World Cheese Awards 2023 Net weight: 250g approx.

Rich, earthy, hint of bitterness. Cut off top, scoop and share like a Vacherin. Traditional Torta. Winner: Silver at the World Cheese Awards 2023 There is a tradition in south-west Spain, and over the border in Portugal, of making ewes' milk cheeses using cardoon thistle rennet, resulting in  full-bodied cheeses with a soft, sometimes liquid interior. Queserías de Barros makes an excellent example using the milk of the indigenous Merino sheep. The cheese has an earthy aroma and the soft paste is creamy, rich, salty and full flavoured with a hint of bitterness on the finish. Leave it out of the fridge at least for an hour before eating to warm up and enjoy the gooey centre with breadsticks or crudités.  To learn more about this incredible cheese, watch the video here. Net weight: wedge approx 200g

Picos de pan are a very common accompaniment to cheese, ham and charcuterie in Spain. They can also complement soups and salads, adding a crunchy, flavourful element to various dishes. These little breadsticks are double-fermented allowing the dough to develop a deep, complex flavour profile and an airy texture for a perfect bite. The olive oil comes from Andalucía, a region renowned for producing some of the finest olive oils in the world. This oil infuses the picos with a fruity richness that complements their tangy flavour, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of southern Spain.

One of the commonest accompaniments to cheese, ham and charcuterie in many Spanish bars and restaurants is the simple breadstick, often made using olive oil. The shape may vary, but they all provide a textural contrast to the meats or cheeses. These little pointed breadsticks are crisp and crunchy.