Brunost Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese

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

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

Brunost Cheese Overview

Brunost, or "brown cheese," is a distinctly Norwegian dairy product, often classified as a cheese, though it differs from traditional cheeses. It is made by boiling down the whey of goat's milk, cow's milk, or a combination of both, until the water evaporates, and the natural milk sugars caramelize. This process gives Brunost its unique brown color, sweet caramel-like flavor, and fudge-like texture. It is commonly sliced thin and served on bread, crispbreads, or waffles.

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

Country of Origin

Brunost Cheese comes from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. 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. Brunost is not a protected cheese. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1996), PDO (1985).

Milk Type and Treatment

Brunost Cheese is made with cow and goat milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized. Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw.

Composition and Texture

Brunost's texture can be described as "semi-soft, whey". Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm".

Taste and Aroma

Brunost Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy taste. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery".

Appearance and Aging

Brunost Cheese's appearance is colored brown . 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

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

Ranking

Brunost is ranked #5 out of 996 types based on community views. Mahón-Menorca is ranked #221 out of 996 types based on community views.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a semi-soft, whey cheese, go for Brunost. But if you enjoy a firm consistency, Mahón-Menorca might be the better pick. Brunost has a caramel, sweet taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Mahón-Menorca offers a salty and spicy profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Brunost Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses