What is Mimolette Cheese?

Mimolette is an old French cheese known for its bright orange paste, almost spherical shape, and natural rind. Mimolette is a very strong, sharp cheese whose flavor ranges from mild to sweet and sharp depending on its age. Once open, mimolete wheels often resemble sliced ​​cantaloupe. It is also known as Boule de Lille, after the town in northern France where it originated.

What is Mimolette?

When imports from the Netherlands were barred from entering France during the Franco-Dutch War in the 1670s, the French could no longer import similar spherical adams. As an alternative, finance minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert drafted cheese producers in northern France to make a similar cheese that would be distinguished by a bright color rather than yellow, and the mummole was the result. Mimolette originally got its color from carrot juice, whereas today, Annatto seeds Used to make its signature deep orange paste.

Mimolette also has a unique rind that allows molds and other beneficial microorganisms to grow on it through the natural attachment, or aging process. Cheese mites, tiny arachnids that appear like specks of dust to the naked eye, also live and feed on cheese rinds. Often, the cheesemaker or affineur treats the outside of the wheels to remove or reduce the action of the cheese particles. However, with Mimolette, cheese particles are introduced to the cheese and allowed to penetrate the rind under the supervision of the affineur, creating the cheese’s signature pockmark texture and texture. I get intense. Cheese flavor By allowing moisture to escape.

The cheese was temporarily banned from being imported into the U.S. in 2013 on the grounds that it exceeded the limit of cheese mites per cubic inch of product, as cheese mites can infect some people if consumed in large quantities. May cause allergic reactions. However, the ban was lifted the following year.

How is a mummylet made?

Raw milk is heated in vats, and culture and rennet are added to ferment and coagulate the milk. During curdling, the cheesemaker adds a liquid color derived from annatto, an herb seed often used as a food coloring. This gives the finished product its bright orange paste.

The curd is cut and poured into bowl-shaped molds that give the mullet its signature flat circle shape. gave Curds are pressed Shape and remove excess whey before brining for three days to remove excess moisture and aid in blister formation. They then head to the cave for cheese that ages from two months to two years. During this time, the affineur will hit each wheel with a small wooden mallet, listening for signs of defects such as air bubbles in the cheese. Wheels with these defects will be sold young, while others will be allowed to age longer. Finally, at about six months, they are moved to another cave to allow the mold and cheese particles to work on the rind for another 18 months before being sold.

Alternative

Like young, mild, semi-firm cheeses Adam or Goda Mimolette can serve as an alternative to young wheels. For older wheels, a long gouda like Beemster XO or another hard, flavorful grating cheese is a good substitute.

Types

Mimolette is generally classified based on its age. It can be sold anywhere from six weeks to two years in very small, light batches. The oldest wheels are sold as très vieille (extra-aged) and have a hard, waxy texture to the paste and a fruity, hazelnutty flavor.

uses

Enjoy bourbon, a strong beer such as a Scotch ale or as a table cheese Barley wineor an earthy, rustic red wine. Shave into it. A fresh green salad With a bright vinaigrette to add vivid color and richness. Can also be grated into Mimolette gratins, Macaroni and cheeseor other baked or melted cheese dishes to add flavor. It should be paired with mild, soft cheeses, as it is not a good melter by itself.

Storage

Store Mimolette pieces in their original packaging in your refrigerator for up to three weeks. After opening, wrap the Mimolette tightly in its cheesecloth, or wrap it tightly in parchment or wax paper and then seal it in an unsealed plastic sandwich bag. Store the cheese in the cheese drawer of your refrigerator or even in a crisper to prevent it from drying out. Long-life wedges can be stored for several weeks if wrapped well and kept in the cool part of your refrigerator.

If mold forms on the cheese, carefully cut it with a knife to remove it, being careful not to pull the knife through the cheese, which can spread the mold.

Mimolette Recipes

Can you eat the rind?

While Mimolette peel Technically edible, it is often very dry, tough and unpleasant, especially in older wheels, and should generally be avoided.