Cheddar Cheese vs Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese
Cheddar Cheese is a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cow-milk cheese from England, while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar is a relatively hard, off-white to orange cow's milk cheese from the village of Cheddar in Somerset, South West England. The name is not protected, so it is made worldwide, and it is the UK's most popular cheese at 51% of the national cheese market.
What Is Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
Mimolette, or boule de Lille, is a pasteurized cow's milk cheese from around Lille in northern France. It is known for its orange paste, its cantaloupe-like sphere, and a grey rind pitted by the cheese mites that live on it.
What's the Difference Between Cheddar Cheese and Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
- Origin: Cheddar Cheese (England), Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Cheddar Cheese (Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized), Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline)), Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese (semi-hard)
- Rind: Cheddar Cheese (Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic)), Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese (natural, pitted by cheese mites)
- Taste: Cheddar Cheese (Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory), Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese (Parmesan-like when young, hazelnut when extra-old)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cheddar Cheese | Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | France |
| Specific Origin | Southwest (Somerset, Gloucester) | Lille, Northern France |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Raw, Thermized, Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Varies (natural, cloth, wax, plastic) | Natural, pitted by cheese mites |
| Aging | A few months to several years | — |
| Taste | Mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory | Parmesan-like when young, hazelnut when extra-old |
Taste Comparison: Does Cheddar Cheese Taste Like Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese brings parmesan-like when young, hazelnut when extra-old character. More specifically, Cheddar Cheese shows from mild and buttery to brothy and savory, with distinctive sharpness; variations in sweetness and flavor depending on the producer, while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese leans toward parmesan, hazelnut.
Can You Substitute Cheddar Cheese for Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
In most recipes, Cheddar Cheese and Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese brings parmesan-like when young, hazelnut when extra-old notes.
Which Is Better, Cheddar Cheese or Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline) cheese, go with Cheddar Cheese. For a semi-hard profile, Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cheddar Cheese suits recipes that want mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory notes, while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese fits dishes calling for parmesan-like when young, hazelnut when extra-old.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheddar Cheese the same as Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cheddar Cheese originates in England, while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese comes from France.
Is Cheddar Cheese similar to Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cheddar Cheese for Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cheddar Cheese taste like Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
Cheddar Cheese reads as mild to sharp, buttery to brothy and savory, while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese is parmesan-like when young, hazelnut when extra-old.
What is Cheddar Cheese made of?
Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw, thermized, pasteurized), using animal; microbial chymosin in vegetarian and kosher versions rennet. It's typically aged a few months to several years. It originates in England.
What is Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese made of?
Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Cheddar Cheese or Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cheddar Cheese is varies (rubbery to friable and crystalline), while Mimolette (Boule de Lille) Cheese is semi-hard.