Feta Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese
In this article, we’ll explore the answers to the most common questions about Feta Cheese and Mahón-Menorca Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Feta Cheese and Mahón-Menorca Cheese?"
- "Is Feta Cheese and Mahón-Menorca Cheese the same?"
- "How does Feta Cheese compare to Mahón-Menorca Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Feta Cheese compare to Mahón-Menorca Cheese?"
- "Is Feta Cheese or Mahón-Menorca Cheese better?"
Feta Cheese Overview
Feta is a brined curd white cheese from Greece, made traditionally from sheep's milk, or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. It is crumbly with a slightly grainy texture and has a salty, tangy flavor. Feta is commonly used in salads, pastries, and as a table cheese, and is central to Greek cuisine.
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
Feta is ranked #29 out of 375 types.
Mahón-Menorca is ranked #222 out of 375 types.
Country of Origin
Feta Cheese comes from Greece. 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. Feta Cheese has a PDO (2002). Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1985).
Milk Type and Treatment
Feta Cheese is made with goat or sheep milk that is typically raw or pasteurized. Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw.
Composition and Texture
Feta Cheese has a moisture content of high. Feta's texture can be described as "soft, white, aged in brine". Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm".
Flavor and Aroma
Feta Cheese has a sharp to mild flavor. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy flavor. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery".
Appearance and Aging
Feta Cheese's appearance is colored white , is available in blocks submerged in brine, barrels and is aged 2 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
Feta Cheese's rind is described as none . Mahón-Menorca Cheese's rind is described as characteristic orangish , with vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Feta Cheese | Mahón-Menorca Cheese | |
---|---|---|
Country of Origin | Greece | Spain |
Specific Origin | Throughout Greece | Menorca, Balearic Islands |
Certification | PDO (2002) | PDO (1985) |
Milk Type | Sheep's Milk, or blend with Goat's | Friesian, Menorcan, Brown Alpine cow’s milk, some ewe’s milk (max 5%) |
Milk Treatment | Pasteurized, sometimes raw | Raw or any authorized preservation technology |
Moisture Content | High | |
Rind | None | Characteristic orangish |
Texture | Soft, white, aged in brine | Firm |
Flavor | Sharp to mild | Salty and spicy |
Aroma | Lactic, buttery | |
Colors | White | Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray |
Forms | Blocks submerged in brine, barrels | Parallelepiped shape |
Age | 2 months to longer | Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months |
Rennet Type | Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus) |