Manchego (La Mancha)

The whole of La Mancha is devoted to Manchego, from the provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Toledo. With its protected origin in place, this cheese is recognized throughout the world and the increased demand for it has placed the regulatory body under pressure to change the specified areas of the designation of origin.

This harsh, arid, rocky landscape was named Al Mansha, meaning waterless land, by the Moors when they were here; it exactly describes the extremes of climate – from freezing winters to unbearably hot summers with little rain and variable wind patterns – throughout the vast expanse of plains. The Manchega sheep are completely acclimatized to the extreme climate, as well as being able to digest the scrubby vegetation and grasses and what little vegetable and cereal fodder is grown for them. They are natural foragers, and take refuge under trees in the scorching heat of the day, or in makeshift shelters and caves in the winter.