Mahón

Mahón-Menorca is a versatile cow's milk cheese from the Balearic island, ranging from buttery and mild when young to sharp and piquant after 6 months of aging. Its bright orange rind, from annatto or olive oil, protects a dense paste that costs around $18 per pound, 20% cheaper than the typical aged Spanish cheese. This DOP favorite outperforms #5 Torta del Casar in firmness, offering a crumbly texture that grates or slices easily for salads and pasta. During its 150-day minimum aging, the flavor develops a salty complexity from the island's coastal pastures, making it faster to mature than the average artisan cheese. Mahón's balanced acidity and creamy finish make it a crowd-pleaser, ideal for those seeking a lighter alternative to Roncal's robust sheep's milk.