Mahón-Menorca Cheese vs Pepper Jack Cheese

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

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

Pepper Jack Cheese Overview

Pepper Jack cheese is a derivative of Monterey Jack that includes spicy chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs. This American cheese is known for its mild, creamy texture contrasted with the lively heat of the peppers. It's popular in sandwiches, on burgers, and melted in dishes where a spicy kick is desired.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Mahón-Menorca Cheese comes from Spain. Pepper Jack Cheese originated from United States.

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). Pepper Jack is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw. Pepper Jack Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm". Pepper Jack's texture can be described as "semi-soft".

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 #224 out of 996 types based on community views. Pepper Jack is ranked #126 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Mahón-Menorca and Pepper Jack pages.

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 semi-soft consistency, Pepper Jack might be the better pick.

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Pepper Jack Cheese to Other Cheeses