Comté Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese

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

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

Comté Cheese Overview

Comté is a French cheese made from cow's milk in the Jura region of France. It is one of the most popular AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) cheeses, known for its complex flavors which can include hints of apricot, chocolate, butter, cream, hazelnuts, and toast. Comté is aged for a minimum of four months, with some wheels maturing for over a year to develop a deeper flavor profile.

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

Comté Cheese comes from France. 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. Comté Cheese has a PDO (1996), AOC (1958). Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1996), PDO (1985).

Milk Type and Treatment

Comté 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

Comté's texture can be described as "smooth; semi-hard". Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm".

Taste and Aroma

Comté Cheese has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted taste. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy taste. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery".

Appearance and Aging

Comté Cheese's appearance is colored pale yellow , is available in wide, flat wheels and is aged 4 months to 3 years . 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

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

Ranking

Comté is ranked #74 out of 996 types based on community views. Mahón-Menorca is ranked #222 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Comté and Mahón-Menorca pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a smooth; semi-hard cheese, go for Comté. But if you enjoy a firm consistency, Mahón-Menorca might be the better pick. Comté has a nutty, creamy, sweet to meaty, roasted taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Mahón-Menorca offers a salty and spicy profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Comté Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses