Cabrales Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a crumbly, open paste cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Cabrales Cheese?

Cabrales is a strong, pungent blue cheese from the Asturias region in northern Spain. It is traditionally made from a mixture of raw cow's, goat’s, and sheep's milk that is aged in natural limestone caves, facilitating the development of its intense flavor and blue veining. Cabrales is known for its deep, spicy earthiness and can be quite sharp, making it a favorite among blue cheese aficionados.

What Is Mimolette Cheese?

Mimolette is a hard cheese from the region of Lille, France, known for its bright orange color and spherical shape. It has a firm texture and a nutty, sweet flavor that deepens as it ages. Older Mimolette is known for its dry and crumbly texture, making it an excellent grating cheese.

What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Mimolette Cheese (France)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (Crumbly, open paste), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
• Aging: Cabrales Cheese (2 to 3 months), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Cabrales Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

In most recipes, Cabrales Cheese and Mimolette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect crumbly, open paste bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Mimolette Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: Cabrales Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.

What is Cabrales Cheese made of?

Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using kid rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Spain.

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, Cabrales Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is crumbly, open paste, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.