Mahón-Menorca Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

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

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

Pecorino Cheese Overview

Pecorino is a term for Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk. The most well-known varieties include Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Toscano, and Pecorino Sardo, each named after their region of origin. These cheeses vary in texture from soft and buttery to hard and granular, and they range in flavor from mild to sharp and salty, often aged to develop deeper flavors.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Mahón-Menorca Cheese comes from Spain. Pecorino Cheese originated from Italy.

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 (1996), PDO (1985). Pecorino is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

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

Composition and Texture

Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm". Pecorino's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

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

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 .

Rind and Rennet Type

Mahón-Menorca Cheese's rind is described as characteristic orangish and uses vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet.

Ranking

Mahón-Menorca is ranked #222 out of 996 types based on community views. Pecorino is ranked #164 out of 996 types based on community views.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a firm cheese, go for Mahón-Menorca. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, Pecorino might be the better pick.

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Pecorino Cheese to Other Cheeses