Graviera Naxou Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese

Q: Is Graviera Naxou Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No. Graviera Naxou Cheese and Mimolette Cheese are distinct cheeses from Greece and France respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Graviera Naxou Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Graviera Naxou Cheese for Mimolette Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Graviera Naxou Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Graviera Naxou Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Graviera Naxou Cheese

Mimolette Cheese

Graviera Naxou Cheese is a elastic cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Greece, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.

What Is Graviera Naxou Cheese?

Graviera Naxou is a yellow hard cheese from the Greek island of Naxos, made with pasteurized cow's milk and up to 20 percent sheep's milk. It is known for its delicate, slightly sharp aroma and its PDO status, held since 1996.

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 Graviera Naxou Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?

Origin: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Greece), Mimolette Cheese (France)
Milk type: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Predominantly cow's milk, sheep’s or goat’s milk (up to 20%)), Mimolette Cheese (Cow's milk)
Texture: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Elastic), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
Rind: Graviera Naxou Cheese (Smear rind), Mimolette Cheese (Natural)
Aging: Graviera Naxou Cheese (3 months), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Graviera Naxou Cheese	Mimolette Cheese
Country of Origin	Greece	France
Specific Origin	Naxos	Flanders Area Of Pas-De-Calais
Milk Type	Predominantly cow's milk, sheep’s or goat’s milk (up to 20%)	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Pasteurized
Texture	Elastic	Smooth, creamy body
Rind	Smear rind	Natural
Aging	3 months	6 weeks to 24 months
Taste	—	Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel

Taste Comparison: Does Graviera Naxou Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Graviera Naxou Cheese offers delicate, slightly sharp, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, Graviera Naxou Cheese shows produced traditionally, small-scale, without starter, renneted at 91–97°f, aged at least 3 months, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. Graviera Naxou Cheese at 3 months develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.

Can You Substitute Graviera Naxou Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

Graviera Naxou Cheese can stand in for Mimolette Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect elastic bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body.

Which Is Better, Graviera Naxou Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a elastic cheese, go with Graviera Naxou Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graviera Naxou Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Graviera Naxou Cheese originates in Greece, while Mimolette Cheese comes from France. Graviera Naxou Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Mimolette Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Graviera Naxou Cheese is typically aged 3 months, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.

Is Graviera Naxou Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Graviera Naxou Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?

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

Does Graviera Naxou Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Graviera Naxou Cheese made of?

Graviera Naxou Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized), using traditional lamb's stomach rennet. It's typically aged 3 months. It originates in Greece.

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, Graviera Naxou Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Graviera Naxou Cheese is elastic, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.