Ca na Fayas shows foodie travellers how to choose a good Menorcan cheese

Buying cheese in Menorca can be as rewarding a gastronomic experience as tasting it. Ca na Fayas, one of Ciutadella’s historic shops specialising in cheese and cured meats, invites foodie travellers to discover the differences between the main types of Mahón-Menorca cheese and choose the one best suited to their tastes.

Mahón-Menorca cheese, protected by a Designation of Origin, is made mainly from raw or pasteurised cow’s milk. After the cultures and rennet have been added, the curd is cut and placed inside a cotton cloth known locally as a fogasser. It is then pressed, salted and left to mature until it develops its characteristic texture, aroma and flavour.

When buying it, Ca na Fayas recommends considering the three main varieties. Soft cheese, matured for between 21 and 60 days, has a smooth, creamy texture and a delicate flavour. Semi-cured cheese, matured for between two and five months, is firmer and has a more pronounced taste. Cured cheese, aged for more than five months, has a hard texture, a powerful flavour and a slightly spicy finish.

Foodie travellers are advised to ask for guidance, explain whether they prefer mild or intense flavours and buy several portions to arrange their own tasting. A visit to Ca na Fayas is also an opportunity to discover Ciutadella’s traditional local commerce and take home one of Menorca’s most representative gastronomic products.

Experience details Foodies on Menorca

Experience: Buying and discovering Mahón-Menorca cheese
Shop: Ca na Fayas
Location: Ciutadella de Menorca
Telephone: +34 971 38 16 86
Website: www.canafayas.es
Main products: Soft, semi-cured and cured cheeses; Menorcan cured meats
Recommended for: Foodies interested in local produce and traditional shops
Tip: Ask for advice and sample different stages of maturation before choosing
Ideal for: Taking home a taste of Menorca or preparing a local cheese board