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Mahón-Menorca Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese
Mahón-Menorca Cheese
Taleggio Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Mahón-Menorca Cheese and Taleggio Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Mahón-Menorca Cheese and Taleggio Cheese?"
- "Is Mahón-Menorca Cheese and Taleggio Cheese the same?"
- "How does Mahón-Menorca Cheese compare to Taleggio Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Mahón-Menorca Cheese compare to Taleggio Cheese?"
- "Is Mahón-Menorca Cheese or Taleggio 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.
Taleggio Cheese Overview
Taleggio is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese from the Lombardy region of Italy. It has a strong aroma but a surprisingly mild, fruity, and slightly tangy flavor with a creamy texture that becomes more pronounced as the cheese ages. Taleggio is excellent for melting and is often used in risottos or on polenta.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Mahón-Menorca Cheese comes from Spain. Taleggio 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). Taleggio Cheese has a PDO (1996).
Milk Type and Treatment
Mahón-Menorca Cheese is made with cow or sheep milk that is typically raw. Taleggio Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically heated.
Composition and Texture
Mahón-Menorca's texture can be described as "firm". Taleggio's texture can be described as "soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center".
Taste and Aroma
Mahón-Menorca Cheese has a salty and spicy taste. Mahón-Menorca's aroma can be described as "lactic, buttery". Taleggio Cheese has a sweet, delicate, slightly sour taste. Taleggio's aroma can be described as "herbaceous, 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 . Taleggio Cheese has a color of pinkish-red rind, white to straw yellow inside , comes in square, 7–8 inches wide, 1.5–3 inches high, 3.7–4.8 pounds weight and has an aging period of at least 35 (up to 50) days .
Rind and Rennet Type
Mahón-Menorca Cheese's rind is described as characteristic orangish and uses vegetable (cynara cardunculus) rennet. Taleggio Cheese's rind is described as soft, thin, pinkish-red , with calf rennet.
Ranking
Mahón-Menorca is ranked #217 out of 996 types based on community views. Taleggio is ranked #56 out of 996 types based on community views.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Mahón-Menorca Cheese | Taleggio Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Spain | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Menorca, Balearic Islands | Val Taleggio, Po Valley |
| Certification | PDO (1996), PDO (1985) | PDO (1996) |
| 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 | Heated to 90–95°F |
| Rind | Characteristic orangish | Soft, thin, pinkish-red |
| Texture | Firm | Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center |
| Taste | Salty and spicy | Sweet, delicate, slightly sour |
| Aroma | Lactic, buttery | Herbaceous, aromatic |
| Colors | Ivory-yellow to orangey or brownish gray | Pinkish-red rind, white to straw yellow inside |
| Forms | Parallelepiped shape | Square, 7–8 inches wide, 1.5–3 inches high, 3.7–4.8 pounds weight |
| Age | Tender: 21-60 days, Semi-cured: 2-5 months, Vintage: >5 months | At least 35 (up to 50) days |
| Rennet Type | Vegetable (Cynara cardunculus) | Calf rennet |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a firm cheese, go for Mahón-Menorca. But if you enjoy a soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center consistency, Taleggio might be the better pick. Mahón-Menorca has a salty and spicy taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Taleggio offers a sweet, delicate, slightly sour profile, ideal for different meals.
