It takes its name from the homonymous places, one in the council of Onís and another in that of Cangas de Onís. The first of the councils is that the one that has reached the greatest renown with villages of great tradition in these dairy operations, such as Bobias, Silviella, Avín, Talaveru, El Castru, Demués ...
Its culinary origins lie in the very heart of the Picos de Europa National Park . This prestigious cheese, unique in its kind and with Protected Designation of Origin status , matures in natural caves and preserves the aroma of the previous transhumant pastoral culture, which in spring and summer sought the high mountain pastures for its native Casina and Carreña cows, as well as sheep and goats. From the three milks, in perfect harmony, and with the underlying spirit of the caves, the high meadows, and the mountain pastures where the livestock graze, Gamonéu, as it is popularly known, takes shape and form.
Gamonéu del Valle – Gamonéu del Puerto
Gamonéu cheese, made entirely by hand, comes in two varieties: Gamonéu del Puerto, produced in the mountain huts, and Gamonéu del Valle, made in the valley dairies. Both are very special cheeses : a fatty, matured cheese with a natural rind, made with cow's, sheep's, and/or goat's milk, and lightly smoked . The interior is white or yellowish-white, with slight bluish-green Penicillium blooms along the edges. The rind's distinctive color is due to the smoking process, which gives it a toasted sienna hue. Later, during its aging in caves and as it develops mold, it acquires reddish, greenish, and bluish tones. It has a mild smoky flavor that intensifies with maturation, along with a slightly spicy note. On the palate, it evolves into a buttery texture with a lingering hazelnut aftertaste.
Gamonéu del Valle cheese is one of the quintessential cheeses of Asturias. It is produced in small, family-run dairies in the Picos de Europa mountains, in villages located in the lower areas of the municipalities of Onís and Cangas de Onís. These farms and dairies undergo regular inspections and controls to ensure compliance with the regulations governing the Gamonéu Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
It's no exaggeration to say that Gamonéu del Puerto cheese is one of the best cheeses in the world and also one of the most sought-after. Handmade, each Gamonéu cheese is unique. It is produced in small dairies in the mountain huts of the high mountain passes of Onís and Cangas de Onís. Production of this variety is seasonal due to the climate and the difficulty of grazing during the winter months; production is limited to the spring and summer . For this reason, the production of this variety is considerably smaller compared to that of the Valley, and its price is higher.
The milk from the herd's two milkings, morning and evening, is mixed together, resulting in an acidic curd the following day . This curd is then carefully drained as much whey as possible. After several days of pressing the cheese to remove some of the whey, it is sprinkled with coarse salt and placed in wooden rooms where it will remain for 10-15 days, drying and absorbing the smoke generated inside the cabin. The cheese is then transferred to natural mountain caves to complete its aging process. There, it will remain for two months until the slightly smoky rind it entered with is covered in an intense veil of reddish, gray, and greenish mold , which is immediately enticing. The paste becomes dry and crumbly, with a slightly spicy and well-developed flavor.
Its authentic flavor, unmatched anywhere in the world, is the result of a meticulous tradition passed down from generation to generation as one of the family's most cherished secrets. The production method involves only strictly natural ingredients , as the "cuayu" used is also of natural origin.
Gamonéu cheese is usually enjoyed in small, elongated cubes . It's a quick bite, often served with a bit of bread. But, as is becoming increasingly common in contemporary Asturian cuisine, its essence is increasingly sought after in a wider variety of dishes. It's used in creams and sauces for various recipes and as a sprinkled topping for salads. This versatility, typical of other dairy products from the region, makes it a true expression of Asturian flavor, always intense and unique.
A dairy product as exceptional as this one does not cease to surprise everyone who comes across it. That is why it is a raw material that is increasingly in demand by chefs as an haute cuisine ingredient. At home we can also make succulent dishes with this cheese as the protagonist.
Route and visits to the Gamonéu cheese factories
The best way to experience Gamonéu cheese firsthand is to visit eastern Asturias: the most important cheese-producing region in Europe, according to many experts. In this area, there has long been a focus on promoting the product on-site, offering guided tours of cheese dairies, aging caves, and more. In Benia de Onís, you can enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic ecotourism experience.
Cheese route through Benia de Onís
Onís is a rural "conceyu" (council) whose history, culture, and economy are structured around the figure of… Read more
Guided visits to the Gamonéu cheese factories
A good way to get closer to the quintessential cheese of the Asturian mountain pastures is to delve into its… Read more
Gamonéu Competition
Every year in October, the Gamonéu cheese competition takes place in Benia de Onís. Several dozen producers, artisans and local food producers meet in the town and the cheeses are tasted by experts. The annual prizes are awarded and several thousand visitors gather around one of the most famous cheeses in Asturias. A few tons are sold amid great excitement. If you get the chance, come and experience first-hand the passions that this emblematic cheese arouses.
Gamonéu Cheese Contest 2025
The 45th Cheese Competition… Read more
Today, more than 40 varieties of cheese are produced in this area ; we will introduce you to some of the best known and most popular ones.
The best 10 cheeses of Asturias
Of the 42 varieties of cheese that Asturias has, it's difficult to choose just 10. We've compiled a list of the most popular… Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
