Prestes San Simon da Costa Cheese, Smoked, Semi-Firm, 1Kg, Galician Cheese, World Cheese Awards Reviews

5 Rating 1 Reviews

Prestes San Simon da Costa Cheese 1Kg is a traditional cheese from Galicia, produced by Quesería Prestes, a family business founded in 1991. The cheese has a conical shape, immersed in hot whey to seal the outside and prevent moulds growing. It's traditionally smoked over birchwood chips, giving it a smoky flavour and nutty aftertaste. The exterior is a rich ochre colour, while the interior paste is semi-firm and smooth with occasional holes and a pale yellow colour. The flavours are fairly mild and sweetly earthy with tastes of butter and delicate smoke.

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Philip Mead

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Incentivized

“First impressions San Simón da Costa is a PDO-protected Galician cheese made from cow’s milk and lightly smoked over birchwood . Prestes is one of the established producers, with a solid reputation and appearances at international competitions like the World Cheese Awards . You’re looking at a 1kg cone-shaped cheese, semi-firm, pale inside, with that lovely burnished rind. Flavour and texture Texture: Smooth, semi-firm, slightly elastic Taste: Mild, creamy, buttery Finish: Gentle nuttiness with a soft smoky aftertaste Aroma: Noticeable but not overpowering smoke The key thing here is balance. The smoke is present but not aggressive. It complements rather than dominates. Compared to stronger cheeses, this is quite approachable. As one description puts it, the flavour is “mild and sweetly earthy with butter and delicate smoke” . From the cheese community: “San Simón Da Costa… truly wonderful.” That sums it up rather neatly. ️ How it’s best used This is where it really shines. Melts beautifully on burgers or toast Excellent in sandwiches Lovely on a cheeseboard without overpowering others Works well with light reds, whites, or even beer It’s a cook’s cheese as much as a tasting cheese, which is not always the case with artisan products. What’s good about it Very approachable flavour Distinctive but not overwhelming smoke High versatility (snacking + cooking) Proper heritage cheese with PDO status Good value for a full kilo ⚠️ What to watch If you want something bold or punchy, this may feel a bit restrained The smoky note, while mild, might not suit everyone Less complex than aged sheep or goat cheeses Verdict This is one of those cheeses that quietly impresses rather than shouting for attention. Simple way to think of it: Want something strong and dramatic? → look elsewhere Want something reliable, tasty, and versatile? → this is spot on Enjoy smoked foods but not overpowering ones? → very good choice It’s the sort of cheese you end up finishing without really noticing, which is often the best compliment you can give.”

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