Edam Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese

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

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

Edam Cheese Overview

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese that is recognizable by its typically red or yellow wax coating. Made from partially skimmed cow's milk, it has a mild, slightly salty flavor and a firm but creamy texture. Edam ages well and does not spoil; instead, it hardens, which makes it an excellent cheese for long-term storage.

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

Edam is ranked #17 out of 375 types.

Mahón-Menorca is ranked #221 out of 375 types.

Country of Origin

Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. 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. Edam is not a protected cheese. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1985).

Milk Type and Treatment

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

Composition and Texture

Edam's texture can be described as "rubber-textured to crystalline". Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm".

Flavor and Aroma

Edam Cheese has a sweet, milky, nutty, buttery flavor. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy flavor. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery".

Appearance and Aging

Edam Cheese's appearance is colored red , is available in round and is aged 3 months to longer . 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

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Edam Cheese Mahón-Menorca Cheese
Country of Origin Netherlands Spain
Specific Origin North of Holland 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 Mostly pasteurized Raw or any authorized preservation technology
Rind Smooth, waxed Characteristic orangish
Texture Rubber-textured to crystalline Firm
Flavor Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery Salty and spicy
Aroma Lactic, buttery
Colors Red Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray
Forms Round Parallelepiped shape
Age 3 months to longer Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months
Rennet Type Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus)

Compare Edam Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses