Taking influence from British, French and now Spanish rule, Menorcan food you have to try when visiting will leave you wanting more and more.
Best Menorcan Food Overview
Menorca and it’s unique culinary identified has been influenced over the years by its geography, history and cultural heritage. Taking flavours from British, French and Spanish rule, local Menorcan cuisine varies from sweet treats to savoury umami dishes. If you’re visiting this summer, or anytime, then take a note of the below for some of the the best Menorcan food you have to try when visiting!
Mahon Cheese / Queso Mahón
Arguably Menorca’s most famous food export. Mahon cheese, or Queso Mahón named locally after the capital of Menorca, Mahon, is distinct in its look with vibrant orange or dark orange outer casing, thanks to its paprika and oil or butter rub. Shaped traditionally into a square shape with rounded edges makes it easy to spot and truly unique.
Mahon Cheese is made from cow’s milk with a distinct buttery, sharp flavour, with a somewhat soft texture. Available in various degrees of maturity from young and under 21 days, not being aged for more than around 3 months. To aged, which can be over 6 months.
Often found on the restaurant menus around the island paired with salad, fruits, jam, charcuterie or alongside other great cheeses on cheese board.
Lastly, with protected Spanish status of Denominación de origen, ensures protection and status of the Mahon cheese for many years to come.
Caldereta de Langosta
Caldereta de Langosta or Lobster stew is another another spectacular dish bursting with flavours and colours. Distinctly served in large stew pots, dark in colour with beautiful spiny lobsters peaking out from the both.
Made from a variety of ingredients Caldereta de Langosta pulls on flavours from onions, tomatoes, garlic, peppers, herbs and of course, Lobster. Traditionally using the European spiny lobsters and typically available to eat in local restaurants in the summertime only, due to local protections on the catching of Lobsters.
A spectacular alternative to the traditional Spanish dish of Paella, the Menorcan Lobster stew is bold on flavour and paired simply with some bread to soak up the broth and wipe the bowl clean.
Sobrassada
Another savoury Menorcan food, the Sobrassada, or Sobrasada in Spanish is a cured sausage with similar look and feel to a Chorizo, which is more well known.
The unique Sobrassada is made with ground pork, paprika, salt and other spices. Using the process of dehydration under high humidity and mild temperatures. Similar to Chorizo with regards to colour and shape, however distinctly different in texture. Sobrassada is a lot softer and often treated more like a spread or pate. As opposed to slicing chunks or slithers like Chorizo or Ibérico Ham.
Due to its soft texture, Sobrassada is often enjoyed on bread, or in a baguette paired with cheese, salad or other ingredients.
Similar takes on the delicacy exist Including a variety of Sobrassada within the Pyrenees as well as a Sicilian and Calabrian version called Soppressata.
Carquinyols
Rejoice, a delicious sweet treat Menorcan has to offer. The Carquinyol is a small sweet biscuit with a dry and crunchy texture, with a distinct almond flavour.
Simply made, Carquinyols use predominately ingredients of sugar, flour, eggs and almonds. However they can be adapted by adding other distinct flavours such as Lemon, Orange, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Chocolate or Cinnamon for example.
Carquinyols, being a sweet treat are often enjoyed at the end of a meal. Or sometimes with a coffee or tea, sometimes even with a sweet liqueur or sweet wine.
Similar to Sobrassada, various regions will produce these to a similar name with a similar ingredient list. For example, in Barcelona they are known as carquinyolis, Valencia as rosegons and in Italy as cantuccini.
If you’re looking to purchase Carquinyols, Es Mercadal is a bit of a hot bed. Alternatively you can purchase from the online store of Sa Sucreria.
Ensaimada
The second sweet delight on our list comes in the form of the Ensaimada. Apopular sweet treat amongst many of the Balearic islands, although original from neighouring island of Mallorca. One of the most popular foods on the island. Ensaimada’s are typically round and relatively flat, wound into a spiral and dusted with sugar, or other delicious toppings.
The Ensaimada is a sweet, flaky pastry, consisting of water, sugar, eggs and lard. However more recently flavours have extended beyond the traditional to include chocolate, jams and even now a blended Sobrasada Ensaimada.
Steeped in heritage and taking it’s name from the word “saïm“, how Mallorcan locals say lard, Ensaimada’s are one sweet treat to enjoy, like the locals do, often with a tea, coffee, sweet liqueur or sweet wine. Similar to Carquinyols.
If you’re wondering where to buy the best Menorcan Ensaimada’s, various locations throughout Menorca, local bakeries in many of the resorts. Alternatively online at Sa Sucreria.
More Of The Best Menorcan Food
Other amazing local Menorcan food you may want to try whilst visiting include:
- Coca Bamba: A type of round domed cake made with flour, sugar, eggs, lard and yeast.
- Oliaigua de Menorca: A soup served hot or cold typically made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, green peppers, oil and water.
- Figat de Menorca: Traditional Menorcan jam made from figs, sugar, and orange peel.
Alternatively, other Balearic dishes you may want to try on the island of Menorca include:
- Greixonera: A pudding using stale Ensaimadas, consisting of eggs ensaimadas, milk, sugar, lemon, cinnamon and butter
- Flaó: A round cheesecake or tart, prepared with fresh cheese, eggs and mint
- Tumbet: Vegetable dish consisting of layers of sliced potatoes, aubergines and red bell peppers.
- Panades: Similar to Somosas, round pastas without yeast, filled with meat, vegetables or fish.
