Quick Answer: The easiest good quince paste to find is Mitica Membrillo, a Spanish quince paste sold at cheese counters and some supermarkets for about $8. Murray's Membrillo, made in Málaga by a producer working since 1912, is the cheese-shop pick. No published taste test has ranked quince paste brands, so this guide names what to buy without star scores.
Membrillo is Spain's sweet, firm quince paste, and a slice of it on Manchego is one of the great cheese-board pairings. It's firm enough to cut into neat cubes, sweet and slightly tart, and it lasts for weeks in the fridge. Most stores carry one or two brands near the specialty cheeses.
How we picked these: no published side-by-side taste test of quince paste brands exists yet, so this guide is not scored with stars like our other buying guides. Instead it names the widely sold options, what each is like and where to find it, using award results where they exist, the few published tests that include them and how this kind of fruit paste behaves on a board. Sources are listed at the end, and our method is on the buying guides hub. Stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Why |
|---|---|
| Easiest to find: Mitica Membrillo ($) | Sold at many cheese counters |
| Cheese-shop pick: Murray's Membrillo ($$) | Made in Málaga since 1912 |
| Organic pick: Mitica Organic Membrillo ($$) | Organic Spanish quince paste |
| Best for a crowd: Deli-counter membrillo, cut to order ($) | Sliced from a large block |
Mitica Membrillo
Easiest to find · Best for: A reliable Spanish quince paste · $ budget
A traditional Spanish quince paste: firm enough to slice, sweet-tart, with apple and pear notes. A 10 oz pack was $7.98 at H-E-B, which suggests it with Manchego, on charcuterie boards and on baked brie (H-E-B).
- Why we like it: Widely sold, good value and made for slicing.
- Keep in mind: Made with added pectin and lemon, so it's a little softer than some.
- Where to buy: H-E-B, Whole Foods, cheese counters and online.
Murray's Membrillo
Cheese-shop pick · Best for: A classic Manchego partner · $$ mid-range
Quince and sugar only, from a Málaga producer that has made membrillo since 1912. Murray's sells it in an 8.8 oz brick and recommends it with Manchego and rosemary Marcona almonds (Murray's Cheese).
- Why we like it: A short ingredient list and a traditional maker.
- Keep in mind: Costs a little more, and is easiest to buy online.
- Where to buy: Murray's Cheese online. Murray's counters inside Kroger stores may carry it.
Mitica Organic Membrillo
Organic pick · Best for: An organic option · $$ mid-range
An organic version from the same importer (Cured & Cultivated).
- Why we like it: Organic.
- Keep in mind: Harder to find than the regular one.
- Where to buy: Specialty shops and online.
Deli-counter membrillo, cut to order
Best for a crowd · Best for: Big boards and grazing tables · $ budget
Some cheese counters and Spanish delis sell membrillo cut from a big block, like Zabar's in New York (Zabar's). It's the cheapest way to buy it for a big board.
- Why we like it: Buy as much or as little as you need.
- Keep in mind: Not every store does it. Ask at the cheese counter.
- Where to buy: Cheese counters, Spanish and Latin markets.
How to serve it
- With Manchego: the classic. Cut thin slices of membrillo and lay them on wedges of Manchego. See our Manchego ranking.
- With other cheeses: aged cheddar, blue cheese, goat cheese and brie all work.
- On a Spanish board: with chorizo, jamón serrano, Marcona almonds and olives. Our Spanish chorizo ranking has the meat.
Membrillo is also called dulce de membrillo or carne de membrillo in Spanish, and marmelada in Portuguese. It's made from quince pulp cooked with a lot of sugar, which is why it keeps so well (Wikipedia).
What to look for on the label
Label check: A firm block that holds its shape when sliced, deep orange to reddish brown. Quince and sugar should be the first ingredients.
Skip: Confusing it with quince jam or jelly. Jam is spoonable; for a board you want the firm paste you can cut into cubes.
How much to buy: about ½ oz per guest. A 10 oz pack covers a board for 15 to 20. Storing it: wrap the cut block tightly and keep it in the fridge. It lasts for weeks.
For what quince paste pairs with and how to serve it, see the membrillo guide. To see every buying guide, visit our charcuterie buying guides.
Quince paste questions
What is the best quince paste?
Mitica Membrillo is the easiest good one to find. Murray's Membrillo, made in Málaga since 1912 from just quince and sugar, is the cheese-shop pick.
What cheese goes with quince paste?
Manchego is the classic. Aged cheddar, blue cheese, goat cheese and brie also work well.
Is membrillo the same as quince paste?
Yes. Membrillo is the Spanish name. It's also called dulce de membrillo or quince cheese.
Where do you find quince paste in the grocery store?
Near the specialty cheeses or at the cheese counter. Some stores keep it with the jams or in the international aisle.
Sources
- H-E-B: Mitica Membrillo Quince Paste
- Murray's Cheese: Murray's Membrillo
- Cured & Cultivated: Mitica Organic Membrillo
- Zabar's: Membrillo (Quince Paste)
- Wikipedia: Quince cheese
Get one board idea a week, plus the free charcuterie cheat sheet, when you join the Charcuterie Lab newsletter.
