Époisses Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese

Époisses Cheese is a soft and creamy cow-milk cheese from France, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Époisses Cheese?

Époisses is a pungent soft-paste cow's milk cheese from the village of Époisses in Burgundy, France. Washed in brine and Marc de Bourgogne as it ripens, it has a soft red-orange rind that is edible and a strong smell.

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 Époisses Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Époisses Cheese (raw or pasteurized), Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized)
• Texture: Époisses Cheese (Soft and creamy), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
• Rind: Époisses Cheese (Washed-rind), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
• Aging: Époisses Cheese (Minimum of 28 days), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
• Taste: Époisses Cheese (Subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Époisses Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Époisses Cheese offers undergrowth, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Époisses Cheese shows penetrating odor, undergrowth aromas, soft and melting, slightly crumbly center if not long matured, creamy sensation on the palette, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Époisses Cheese at minimum of 28 days develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Époisses Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Époisses Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Époisses Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Époisses Cheese is typically aged minimum of 28 days, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.

Is Époisses Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Époisses Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Does Époisses Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

Époisses Cheese reads as subtle, fruity, distinctive, balanced, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Époisses Cheese leans undergrowth, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.

What is Époisses Cheese made of?

Époisses Cheese is made from cow milk (raw or pasteurized). It's typically aged minimum of 28 days. 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, Époisses Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Époisses Cheese is soft and creamy, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.