Log In
Explore
Cheeses
Cheesemakers
Types
Pairings
Cheese Map
Havarti Cheese vs Mahón-Menorca Cheese
Havarti Cheese
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 semi-soft 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
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 (1996), PDO (1985).
Milk Type and Treatment
Havarti 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
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".
Taste and Aroma
Havarti Cheese has a mild, buttery taste. Havarti's aroma can be described as "pungent aroma, earthy taste". Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy taste. 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.
Ranking
Havarti is ranked #11 out of 996 types based on community views. Mahón-Menorca is ranked #217 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Havarti | Mahón-Menorca | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Kolsch, Pinot Gris, Riesling | No pairings listed. |
| Other Good Pairings | Apples, Asian Pear, Asparagus, Belgian Blonde, California Viogniers, Champagne, Crackers, Dirty Martini, Green Apple, Green Tea, Grilled Cheese, Hard Cider, IPA, Kombucha, Pistachios, Sauvignon Blanc, Shrimp, Sparkling Rosé, Viognier | No additional pairings listed. |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Havarti and Mahón-Menorca pages.
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 (1996), PDO (1985) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Friesian, Menorcan, Brown Alpine cow’s milk, some ewe’s milk (max 5%) |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw or any authorized preservation technology |
| Fat Content | Max 50% moisture, min 23% fat | Not Specified |
| Moisture Content | 40–45% (Typically) | Not Specified |
| Rind | Washed rind | Characteristic orangish |
| Texture | Smooth | Firm |
| Taste | Mild, buttery | Salty and spicy |
| Aroma | Pungent aroma, earthy taste | Lactic, buttery |
| Colors | Not Specified | Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray |
| Forms | Rectangular | Parallelepiped shape |
| Age | Not Specified | Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months |
| Rennet Type | Not Specified | Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus) |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a smooth cheese, go for Havarti. But if you enjoy a firm consistency, Mahón-Menorca might be the better pick. Havarti has a mild, buttery taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Mahón-Menorca offers a salty and spicy profile, ideal for different meals.
