Havarti Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese

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

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

Havarti Cheese Overview

Havarti is a Danish cheese known for its creamy texture and mild, slightly tangy flavor. It is typically made from cow's milk and is a table cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. Havarti may also be flavored with spices, herbs, or other additives to enhance its taste.

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

Havarti is ranked #15 out of 376 types.

Mahón-Menorca is ranked #214 out of 376 types.

Country of Origin

Havarti Cheese comes from Denmark. 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. Havarti Cheese has a PGI (2010). Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1985).

Milk Type and Treatment

Information on the milk type and treatment for Havarti Cheese is not available. Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw.

Composition and Texture

Havarti Cheese has a fat content of max 50% moisture, min 23% fat and a moisture content of 40–45% (typically). Havarti's texture can be described as "smooth". Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm".

Flavor and Aroma

Havarti Cheese has a mild, buttery flavor. Havarti's aroma can be described as "pungent aroma, earthy taste". Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy flavor. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery".

Appearance and Aging

Havarti Cheese's appearance is available in rectangular . 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

Havarti 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

Havarti Cheese Mahón-Menorca Cheese
Country of Origin Denmark Spain
Specific Origin No specific location Menorca, Balearic Islands
Certification PGI (2010) PDO (1985)
Milk Type Friesian, Menorcan, Brown Alpine cow’s milk, some ewe’s milk (max 5%)
Milk Treatment Raw or any authorized preservation technology
Fat Content Max 50% moisture, min 23% fat
Moisture Content 40–45% (Typically)
Rind Washed rind Characteristic orangish
Texture Smooth Firm
Flavor Mild, buttery Salty and spicy
Aroma Pungent aroma, earthy taste Lactic, buttery
Colors Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray
Forms Rectangular Parallelepiped shape
Age Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months
Rennet Type Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus)

Compare Havarti Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses