Edam Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese

Edam Cheese is a rubber-textured to crystalline cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Edam Cheese?

Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, sold in flat-ended spheres under a red wax rind. It hardens rather than spoils, which made it the world's most popular cheese from the 14th to the 18th century.

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 Edam Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?

• Origin: Edam Cheese (Netherlands), Mimolette Cheese (France)
• Texture: Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
• Rind: Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
• Aging: Edam Cheese (3 months to longer), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
• Taste: Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Edam Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Edam Cheese offers almost no smell when young, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Edam Cheese shows sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Edam Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

In most recipes, Edam Cheese and Mimolette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect rubber-textured to crystalline bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.

Which Is Better, Edam Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a rubber-textured to crystalline cheese, go with Edam Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Edam Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edam Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

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

Is Edam Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Edam Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Does Edam Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

Edam Cheese reads as sweet, milky, nutty, buttery, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Edam Cheese leans almost no smell when young, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.

What is Edam Cheese made of?

Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.

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, Edam Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.