Mimolette Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Mimolette Cheese is a smooth, creamy body cow-milk cheese from France, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Mimolette Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Mimolette Cheese (France), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Mimolette Cheese (Natural), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mimolette Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Mimolette Cheese offers butterscotch, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Mimolette Cheese shows mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Mimolette Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Mimolette Cheese and Red Leicester 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, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Mimolette Cheese or Red Leicester 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, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mimolette Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Mimolette Cheese originates in France, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Mimolette Cheese is typically aged 6 weeks to 24 months, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Mimolette Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Mimolette Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Mimolette Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Mimolette Cheese leans butterscotch, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Mimolette Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.