Appenzeller Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese

In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Appenzeller Cheese and Mahón-Menorca Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Appenzeller Cheese and Mahón-Menorca Cheese?"
  • "Is Appenzeller Cheese and Mahón-Menorca Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Appenzeller Cheese compare to Mahón-Menorca Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Appenzeller Cheese compare to Mahón-Menorca Cheese?"
  • "Is Appenzeller Cheese or Mahón-Menorca Cheese better?"

Appenzeller Cheese Overview

Appenzeller cheese hails from northeastern Switzerland and is famed for its rich, nutty flavor that intensifies with age. Treated with a secret blend of herbal brine, this cheese develops a smooth yet firm texture. Aged for a minimum of three months, Appenzeller is a key ingredient in fondue and pairs well with robust wines and ales.

Mahón-Menorca Cheese Overview

Mahón-Menorca is a cow's milk cheese from the island of Menorca in the Balearic Islands. It has a square shape with rounded edges and is known for its orange rind and soft to hard texture depending on age. The flavor is slightly salty and tangy, with buttery notes in younger cheeses and a sharper taste in older ones.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Appenzeller is ranked #78 out of 375 types.

Mahón-Menorca is ranked #218 out of 375 types.

Country of Origin

Appenzeller Cheese comes from Switzerland. Mahón-Menorca Cheese originated from Spain.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Appenzeller is not a protected cheese. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1985).

Milk Type and Treatment

Appenzeller Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw. Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw.

Composition and Texture

Appenzeller's texture can be described as "firm". Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm".

Flavor and Aroma

Appenzeller Cheese has a piquant, tangy flavor. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy flavor. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery".

Appearance and Aging

Appenzeller Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow and is available in wheel . Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a color of ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray , comes in parallelepiped shape and has an aging period of tender: 21-60 days, semi-cured: 2-5 months, vintage: >5 months .

Rind and Rennet Type

Appenzeller Cheese's rind is described as washed rind . Mahón-Menorca Cheese's rind is described as characteristic orangish , with vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Appenzeller Cheese Mahón-Menorca Cheese
Country of Origin Switzerland Spain
Specific Origin Appenzell region Menorca, Balearic Islands
Certification None PDO (1985)
Milk Type Cow's milk Friesian, Menorcan, Brown Alpine cow’s milk, some ewe’s milk (max 5%)
Milk Treatment Raw Raw or any authorized preservation technology
Rind Washed rind Characteristic orangish
Texture Firm Firm
Flavor Piquant, tangy Salty and spicy
Aroma Lactic, buttery
Colors Pale yellow Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray
Forms Wheel Parallelepiped shape
Age Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months
Rennet Type Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus)

Compare Appenzeller Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses