Chèvre (Goat Cheese) vs Mimolette Cheese

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is a soft goat-milk cheese from France, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese)?

Chèvre is the French name for cheese made from goat's milk. The classic French style is soft and creamy under a light colored rind, tart from the fatty acids in goat milk, and is sometimes served hot as chèvre chaud.

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 Chèvre (Goat Cheese) and Mimolette Cheese?

• Milk type: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (Goat), Mimolette Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (soft), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
• Rind: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (light colored), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
• Aging: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (not aged for long), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
• Taste: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) (tangy), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) offers goaty, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) shows mild, creamy, sometimes fruity, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) at not aged for long develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Chèvre (Goat 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 Chèvre (Goat Cheese). For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) suits recipes that want tangy notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk; Mimolette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is typically aged not aged for long, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.

Is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) similar to Mimolette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Chèvre (Goat Cheese) for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Does Chèvre (Goat Cheese) taste like Mimolette Cheese?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) reads as tangy, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) leans goaty, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.

What is Chèvre (Goat Cheese) made of?

Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is made from goat milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged not aged for long. 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, Chèvre (Goat Cheese) or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Chèvre (Goat Cheese) is soft, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.