Mahón-Menorca Cheese vs Munster Cheese

Mahón-Menorca Cheese

Munster Cheese

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

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

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.

Munster Cheese Overview

Munster is a strong-smelling, soft cheese from the Alsace and Lorraine regions of France. It has a washed rind, which gives it a red-orange color and a distinctive pungent aroma. The flavor is rich and tangy, often enjoyed with cumin seeds and paired with beers or strong wines.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Mahón-Menorca is ranked #218 out of 866 types based on community views.

Munster is ranked #44 out of 866 types based on community views.

Country of Origin

Mahón-Menorca Cheese comes from Spain. Munster Cheese originated from France.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a PDO (1985). Munster Cheese has a AOC (1969).

Milk Type and Treatment

Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw. Munster Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm". Munster Cheese has a fat content of 45-48%. Munster's texture can be described as "semisoft".

Flavor and Aroma

Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy flavor. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery". Munster Cheese has a strong, gamey flavor. Munster's aroma can be described as "gamey, aromatic".

Appearance and Aging

Mahón-Menorca Cheese's appearance is colored ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray , is available in parallelepiped shape and is aged tender: 21-60 days, semi-cured: 2-5 months, vintage: >5 months . Munster Cheese has a color of orangey-pink to orange-red , comes in flat wheel, 1-3 inches high, 5-8 inches diameter and has an aging period of 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months .

Rind and Rennet Type

Mahón-Menorca Cheese's rind is described as characteristic orangish and uses vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet. Munster Cheese's rind is described as washed, saltwater solution , with traditional rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Mahón-Menorca Cheese Munster Cheese
Country of Origin Spain France
Specific Origin Menorca, Balearic Islands Alsace, Lorraine, Franche-Comté
Certification PDO (1985) AOC (1969)
Milk Type Friesian, Menorcan, Brown Alpine cow’s milk, some ewe’s milk (max 5%) cow's milk
Milk Treatment Raw or any authorized preservation technology unpasteurized
Fat Content 45-48%
Rind Characteristic orangish Washed, saltwater solution
Texture Firm Semisoft
Flavor Salty and spicy Strong, gamey
Aroma Lactic, buttery Gamey, aromatic
Colors Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray Orangey-pink to orange-red
Forms Parallelepiped shape Flat wheel, 1-3 inches high, 5-8 inches diameter
Age Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months 4-6 weeks to 2-3 months
Rennet Type Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus) Traditional rennet

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Munster Cheese to Other Cheeses

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