Frinault Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese

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

What Is Frinault Cheese?

Frinault is a soft cheese from the countryside around Orléans in France, made with pasteurized whole cow's milk at 50% fat. It comes as a small 120 g disc in three versions: plain, ash-ripened Frinault cendré, and the longer-aged Frinault sec.

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 Frinault Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?

• Texture: Frinault Cheese (soft, soft-ripened), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
• Rind: Frinault Cheese (natural), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
• Aging: Frinault Cheese (about 2 weeks), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
• Taste: Frinault Cheese (spicy), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Frinault Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, Frinault Cheese offers fermented, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Frinault Cheese shows fruity and more perfumed in the cendré version, close to olivet cendré, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Frinault Cheese at about 2 weeks develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Frinault Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Frinault Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Frinault Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Frinault Cheese is typically aged about 2 weeks, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.

Is Frinault Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Frinault Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Does Frinault Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

Frinault Cheese reads as spicy, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. Frinault Cheese leans fermented, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.

What is Frinault Cheese made of?

Frinault Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 2 weeks. 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, Frinault Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

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