Mahón-Menorca Cheese vs Raclette du Valais Cheese

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

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

Raclette du Valais Cheese Overview

Raclette du Valais is a type of Raclette from the Swiss canton of Valais. It is a PDO product, known for its exceptionally creamy texture and robust flavor that enhances when melted. This cheese is traditionally made using raw cow’s milk and enjoyed as part of the iconic raclette meal.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Ranking

Mahón-Menorca is ranked #226 out of 377 types.

Raclette du Valais is ranked #298 out of 377 types.

Country of Origin

Mahón-Menorca Cheese comes from Spain. Raclette du Valais Cheese originated from Switzerland.

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). Raclette du Valais Cheese has a .

Milk Type and Treatment

Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw. Raclette du Valais Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically raw.

Composition and Texture

Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm". Raclette du Valais Cheese has a moisture content of 36-44%. Raclette du Valais's texture can be described as "semisoft, smooth".

Flavor and Aroma

Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy flavor. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery". Raclette du Valais Cheese has a 'slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal' flavor.

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 . Raclette du Valais Cheese comes in wheel, specific to aoc standards, made in the canton of valais and has an aging period of minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker .

Rind and Rennet Type

Mahón-Menorca Cheese's rind is described as characteristic orangish and uses vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet. Raclette du Valais Cheese's rind is described as washed , with animal rennet.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Mahón-Menorca Cheese Raclette du Valais Cheese
Country of Origin Spain Switzerland
Specific Origin Menorca, Balearic Islands Canton of Valais
Certification PDO (1985)
Milk Type Friesian, Menorcan, Brown Alpine cow’s milk, some ewe’s milk (max 5%) Cow's milk, Eringer breed
Milk Treatment Raw or any authorized preservation technology Raw
Moisture Content 36-44%
Rind Characteristic orangish Washed
Texture Firm Semisoft, smooth
Flavor Salty and spicy 'Slightly lactic', 'milky', 'mildly acidic', 'fresh butter', 'floral', 'vegetal'
Aroma Lactic, buttery
Colors Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray
Forms Parallelepiped shape Wheel, specific to AOC standards, made in the canton of Valais
Age Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months Minimum of 3-4 months, can vary based on cheesemaker
Rennet Type Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus) Animal

Compare Mahón-Menorca Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Raclette du Valais Cheese to Other Cheeses

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