Brie de Melun Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese
Brie de Melun Cheese is a soft cow-milk cheese from France, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Brie de Melun Cheese?
Brie de Melun is a soft unpasteurised cow's milk cheese from the Brie region of France, one of only two bries the French government certifies. It is smaller than Brie de Meaux, with a stronger flavour and a more pungent smell, and has held AOC status since 1980.
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 Brie de Melun Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Brie de Melun Cheese (unpasteurized), Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Brie de Melun Cheese (Soft), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
- Rind: Brie de Melun Cheese (Bloomy), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
- Aging: Brie de Melun Cheese (at least four or five weeks), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
- Taste: Brie de Melun Cheese (salty, sharp, sour, strong), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brie de Melun Cheese | Mimolette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | France |
| Specific Origin | Melun | Flanders Area Of Pas-De-Calais |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Smooth, creamy body |
| Rind | Bloomy | Natural |
| Aging | At least four or five weeks | 6 weeks to 24 months |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, sour, strong | Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel |
Taste Comparison: Does Brie de Melun Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?
Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Brie de Melun Cheese offers grassy, musty, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Brie de Melun Cheese shows creamy, nutty, mushroom-like, slightly acidic, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Brie de Melun Cheese at at least four or five weeks develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.
Can You Substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
In most recipes, Brie de Melun Cheese and Mimolette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.
Which Is Better, Brie de Melun Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Brie de Melun Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Brie de Melun Cheese suits recipes that want salty, sharp, sour, strong notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brie de Melun Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brie de Melun Cheese is typically aged at least four or five weeks, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.
Is Brie de Melun Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Brie de Melun Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Brie de Melun Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?
Brie de Melun Cheese reads as salty, sharp, sour, strong, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Brie de Melun Cheese leans grassy, musty, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.
What is Brie de Melun Cheese made of?
Brie de Melun Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged at least four or five weeks. 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, Brie de Melun Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brie de Melun Cheese is soft, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.