Goat Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese
Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese, also called chèvre, is cheese made from goat's milk. It is produced around the world in styles ranging from fresh and soft to aged and hard, and is known for the tart, goaty flavor that comes from the milk's medium-chain fatty acids.
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 Goat Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?
- Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Mimolette Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
- Taste: Goat Cheese (tart, goaty), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Goat Cheese | Mimolette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | France |
| Specific Origin | Worldwide | Flanders Area Of Pas-De-Calais |
| Milk Type | Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, semihard or hard | Smooth, creamy body |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | — | 6 weeks to 24 months |
| Taste | Tart, goaty | Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel |
Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild.
Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
Goat Cheese can stand in for Mimolette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, semihard or hard bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.
Which Is Better, 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, semihard or hard cheese, go with Goat Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Goat Cheese suits recipes that want tart, goaty notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goat Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Mimolette Cheese uses cow.
Is Goat Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Goat Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?
Goat Cheese reads as tart, goaty, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.
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, Goat Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.