Mimolette Cheese vs Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese

Mimolette Cheese is a smooth, creamy body cow-milk cheese from France, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is firm to smooth 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 Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

Vorarlberger Alpkäse is an Austrian hard cheese made from raw milk on the alps and Vorsäße of Vorarlberg. It holds a protected designation of origin, weighs up to 40 kilograms, and tastes mild young and piquant with age.

What's the Difference Between Mimolette Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Mimolette Cheese (Pasteurized), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation)
• Texture: Mimolette Cheese (Smooth, creamy body), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Firm to smooth)
• Rind: Mimolette Cheese (Natural), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Dried, brownish yellow to brown granular rind)
• Aging: Mimolette Cheese (6 weeks to 24 months), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (At least 3 months)
• Taste: Mimolette Cheese (Sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel), Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese (Mild, becomes sharp with increasing age)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Mimolette Cheese Taste Like Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese brings mild, becomes sharp with increasing age character. Aging plays into this as well. Mimolette Cheese at 6 weeks to 24 months develops a different profile than Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese at at least 3 months.

Can You Substitute Mimolette Cheese for Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

In most recipes, Mimolette Cheese and Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 firm to smooth. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese brings mild, becomes sharp with increasing age notes.

Which Is Better, Mimolette Cheese or Vorarlberger Alpkäse 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 firm to smooth profile, Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mimolette Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel notes, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, becomes sharp with increasing age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mimolette Cheese the same as Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Mimolette Cheese is typically aged 6 weeks to 24 months, Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese at least 3 months.

Is Mimolette Cheese similar to Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Mimolette Cheese for Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

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

Does Mimolette Cheese taste like Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

Mimolette Cheese reads as sweet, less acidic, fruity, nutty, caramel, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is mild, becomes sharp with increasing age.

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 Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese made of?

Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (untreated, raw, non-thermised, non-pasteurised, not sterilised by centrifugation), using not genetically engineered rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months.

Which should I choose, Mimolette Cheese or Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mimolette Cheese is smooth, creamy body, while Vorarlberger Alpkäse Cheese is firm to smooth.