Evora

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Evora is a small, firm cylinder of raw sheep's milk cheese from Portugal that is aged from two to three months. Made with raw sheep milk and cardoon thistle in the region north of Alentejo near the historic city of Evora, the cheese is spicy and slightly acidic and fruity with a light-yellow color. A DOP (the Portuguese equivalent of France's AOC) cheese, Evora was once traded as currency. Because of its slightly higher level of salt, it is well-suited for salads.

The ancient city of Evora is almost due east of Lisbon, closer to the Spanish border. The milk that is used to make the Evora is from the Merino ewe, a breed that is perhaps better known stateside for its wool than its milk. The meat of the Merino makes nice lamb too; but bei ng "cheese guys" here, we think the cheeses like the Evoras are far and away a better product that comes from this breed. The small golden colored cheeses are semi-firm and they have the flavor of a rustic olive oil.