L'Etivaz Cheese vs Mimolette Cheese
L'Etivaz Cheese is a hard cow-milk cheese from Switzerland, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body and made from cow milk, originating in France.
What Is L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese and Mimolette Cheese?
- Origin: L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland), Mimolette Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized), Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: L'Etivaz Cheese (hard), Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body)
- Aging: L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months), Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months)
- Taste: L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty), Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| L'Etivaz Cheese | Mimolette Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Switzerland | France |
| Specific Origin | Vaud, Switzerland | Flanders Area Of Pas-De-Calais |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Smooth, creamy body |
| Rind | — | Natural |
| Aging | 5 to 13 months | 6 weeks to 24 months |
| Taste | Fruity, slightly nutty | Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel |
Taste Comparison: Does L'Etivaz Cheese Taste Like Mimolette Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel character. On the nose, L'Etivaz Cheese offers smokey, contrasted with Mimolette Cheese's butterscotch. More specifically, L'Etivaz Cheese shows creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil, while Mimolette Cheese leans toward mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild. Aging plays into this as well. L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months develops a different profile than Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months.
Can You Substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
In most recipes, L'Etivaz Cheese and Mimolette Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth, creamy body. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty while Mimolette Cheese brings sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes.
Which Is Better, L'Etivaz Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with L'Etivaz Cheese. For a smooth, creamy body profile, Mimolette Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, L'Etivaz Cheese suits recipes that want fruity, slightly nutty notes, while Mimolette Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is L'Etivaz Cheese the same as Mimolette Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. L'Etivaz Cheese originates in Switzerland, while Mimolette Cheese comes from France. Aging also differs: L'Etivaz Cheese is typically aged 5 to 13 months, Mimolette Cheese 6 weeks to 24 months.
Is L'Etivaz Cheese similar to Mimolette Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute L'Etivaz Cheese for Mimolette Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does L'Etivaz Cheese taste like Mimolette Cheese?
L'Etivaz Cheese reads as fruity, slightly nutty, while Mimolette Cheese is sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel. Aromas also diverge. L'Etivaz Cheese leans smokey, and Mimolette Cheese is closer to butterscotch.
What is L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
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, L'Etivaz Cheese or Mimolette Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. L'Etivaz Cheese is hard, while Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body.