Manchego Viejo. Manuel Velasco / Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro.
Manchego Viejo (aka Manchego Añejo) is Manchego cheese from Spain that has been aged, giving it a sharp taste and firm but crumbly body that can be shaved, sliced or even grated as you would Parmesan.
It is typically aged 9 to 12 months, but 9 months is the minimum for this designation. You may also see it aged 18 to 24 months. If it is aged for less than 9 months, it is classed as “curado” (“cured”).
The cheese is yellow, whereas unaged Manchego is whitish (as is typical for sheep’s milk cheeses) .
See also: Manchego Cheese (Spanish)
Substitutes
Any Pecorino Cheese, Dry Monterey, Parmesan, or Grana Padano.
Manchego Viejo, aged 18 months. © CooksInfo / 2017.
Manchego Viejo. © CooksInfo / 2021