Mimolette Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Mimolette Cheese is a smooth, creamy body cow-milk cheese from France, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy and made from cow milk.

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 Is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.

What's the Difference Between Mimolette Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mimolette Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Mimolette Cheese shows mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Mimolette Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

In most recipes, Mimolette Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect smooth, creamy body bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Mimolette Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a smooth, creamy body cheese, go with Mimolette Cheese. For a hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mimolette Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Mimolette Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Mimolette Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Does Mimolette Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

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.

What is Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.

Which should I choose, Mimolette Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.