Mimolette Cheese vs Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese

Mimolette Cheese is a smooth, creamy body cow-milk cheese from France, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Tomme des Pyrénées is a mild pressed cheese from the French Pyrenees, made from raw or pasteurized cow's milk. It is known for its supple paste, slightly salty taste, and the black or gold wax skin that covers many wheels.

What's the Difference Between Mimolette Cheese and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

• Milk type: Mimolette Cheese (Cow's milk), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Cow's milk, goat's milk, mixed milk (cow's milk with ewe's milk or goat's milk, goat's milk with ewe's milk))
• Milk treatment: Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Heat-treated or raw)
• Texture: Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens)
• Rind: Mimolette Cheese (Natural), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Orange with hints of white, yellow, or grey; black or gold coating for heat-treated milk cheeses)
• Aging: Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type)
• Taste: Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel), Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese (Varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mimolette Cheese Taste Like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas character. On the nose, Mimolette Cheese offers butterscotch, contrasted with Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese's fresh whey to more pronounced aromas. More specifically, Mimolette Cheese shows mature: dense, waxy, hints of butterscotch; young: mild, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese leans toward not excessively bitter. Aging plays into this as well. Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months develops a different profile than Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese at minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Can You Substitute Mimolette Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese can stand in for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect smooth, creamy body bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese brings varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas notes.

Which Is Better, Mimolette Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées 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, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens profile, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese fits dishes calling for varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mimolette Cheese the same as Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Mimolette Cheese is made from cow milk; Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Mimolette Cheese is typically aged 6 weeks to 24 months, Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Is Mimolette Cheese similar to Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Mimolette Cheese for Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

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

Does Mimolette Cheese taste like Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is varies from fresh whey aromas to more pronounced aromas. Aromas also diverge. Mimolette Cheese leans butterscotch, and Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is closer to fresh whey to more pronounced aromas.

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 Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese made of?

Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (heat-treated or raw), using coagulating enzyme (not limited to animal rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum ripening period varies from 21 to 90 days depending on weight and milk type.

Which should I choose, Mimolette Cheese or Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body, while Tomme des Pyrénées Cheese is soft, melty, creamy, becomes firmer as it ripens.