Armenian String Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese

Q: Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No. Armenian String Cheese and Mimolette Cheese are distinct cheeses from Armenia and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Armenian String Cheese for Mimolette Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Armenian String Cheese is a semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Armenia, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Armenian String Cheese?

Chechil, also called Armenian string cheese, is a brined pasta filata cheese from Armenia, sold as bundles of thick or thin fibrous threads that are often tied into ropes, braids or balls. It is frequently smoked and tastes sharp and sour with moderate salt.

What Is Mimolette Cheese?

Mimolette is a hard, bright orange cow's milk cheese made around Lille in northern France. It is sold at several ages, from young wheels that taste like Parmesan to extra-old ones with a hazelnut flavor and a grey, mite-worked rind.

What's the Difference Between Armenian String Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?

Origin: Armenian String Cheese (Armenia), Mimolette Cheese (France)
Milk type: Armenian String Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Mimolette Cheese (Cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Armenian String Cheese (soured skimmed milk), Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized)
Texture: Armenian String Cheese (semi-soft), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
Aging: Armenian String Cheese (1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
Taste: Armenian String Cheese (mild), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Armenian String Cheese	Mimolette Cheese
Country of Origin	Armenia	France
Specific Origin	Armenia	Flanders Area Of Pas-De-Calais
Milk Type	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Soured skimmed milk	Pasteurized
Texture	Semi-soft	Smooth, creamy body
Rind	—	Natural
Aging	1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand	6 weeks to 24 months
Taste	Mild	Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel

Taste Comparison: Does Armenian String Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. More specifically, Armenian String Cheese shows sharp and sour-milk, moderately salty at 4 to 8% salt, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Armenian String Cheese at 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Armenian String Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese can stand in for Mimolette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese reads as mild while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.

Which Is Better, Armenian String Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft cheese, go with Armenian String Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Armenian String Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Armenian String Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Armenian String Cheese originates in Armenia, while Mimolette Cheese comes from France. Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Mimolette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Armenian String Cheese is typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.

Is Armenian String Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Armenian String Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Armenian String Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

Armenian String Cheese reads as mild, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.

What is Armenian String Cheese made of?

Armenian String Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (soured skimmed milk), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 1 to 2 days in factories, longer in brine when made by hand. It originates in Armenia.

What is Mimolette Cheese made of?

Mimolette Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 weeks to 24 months. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Armenian String Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Armenian String Cheese is semi-soft, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.