Mimolette Cheese vs Saint-Nectaire Cheese

Mimolette Cheese is a smooth, creamy body cow-milk cheese from France, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender and made from cow milk, originating in France.

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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Saint-Nectaire is a pressed cow's milk cheese from the volcanic hills around the Monts-Dore in Auvergne, France. It ages on rye straw for at least 28 days and is known for its soft, creamy paste and hint of hazelnut.

What's the Difference Between Mimolette Cheese and Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier)
• Texture: Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Soft and tender)
• Rind: Mimolette Cheese (Natural), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Washed-rind)
• Aging: Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (At least twenty-eight days)
• Taste: Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel), Saint-Nectaire Cheese (Delicate hazelnut)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mimolette Cheese Taste Like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut character. On the nose, Mimolette Cheese offers butterscotch, contrasted with Saint-Nectaire Cheese's grassy. More specifically, Mimolette Cheese shows mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese leans toward nutty. Aging plays into this as well. Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months develops a different profile than Saint-Nectaire Cheese at at least twenty-eight days.

Can You Substitute Mimolette Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

In most recipes, Mimolette Cheese and Saint-Nectaire 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 soft and tender. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel while Saint-Nectaire Cheese brings delicate hazelnut notes.

Which Is Better, Mimolette Cheese or Saint-Nectaire 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 soft and tender profile, Saint-Nectaire Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese fits dishes calling for delicate hazelnut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mimolette Cheese the same as Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Mimolette Cheese is typically aged 6 weeks to 24 months, Saint-Nectaire Cheese at least twenty-eight days.

Is Mimolette Cheese similar to Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Mimolette Cheese for Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

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

Does Mimolette Cheese taste like Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is delicate hazelnut. Aromas also diverge. Mimolette Cheese leans butterscotch, and Saint-Nectaire Cheese is closer to grassy.

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 Saint-Nectaire Cheese made of?

Saint-Nectaire Cheese is made from cow milk (raw for fermier, pasteurized for laitier). It's typically aged at least twenty-eight days. It originates in France.

Which should I choose, Mimolette Cheese or Saint-Nectaire Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body, while Saint-Nectaire Cheese is soft and tender.