Baguette Laonnaise Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from France, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese?
Baguette laonnaise is a washed-rind cow's milk cheese from Thiérache and the city of Laon in Picardie, France. It is a variation of Maroilles with black pepper and tarragon worked into the curd, sold as a rectangular loaf that gives the cheese its name.
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 Baguette Laonnaise Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?
- Texture: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (soft, artisan), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
- Rind: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (washed), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
- Aging: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (3 to 4 months), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
- Taste: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese (spicy), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Baguette Laonnaise Cheese | Mimolette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Thiérache And Laon, Picardie, France | Flanders Area Of Pas-De-Calais |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, artisan | Smooth, creamy body |
| Rind | Washed | Natural |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | 6 weeks to 24 months |
| Taste | Spicy | Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel |
Taste Comparison: Does Baguette Laonnaise Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese offers pungent, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese shows black pepper, tarragon, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.
Can You Substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
In most recipes, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese and Mimolette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.
Which Is Better, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Baguette Laonnaise Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese suits recipes that want spicy notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.
Is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Baguette Laonnaise Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Baguette Laonnaise Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese reads as spicy, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese leans pungent, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.
What is Baguette Laonnaise Cheese made of?
Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in France.
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, Baguette Laonnaise Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Baguette Laonnaise Cheese is soft, artisan, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.