| Mimolette | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country of origin | France |
| Region, town | Nord, Lille |
| Source of milk | Cows |
| Pasteurized | Yes |
| Texture | Hard |
| Aging time | 2 months – 2 years |
 Related media on Commons | |
Mimolette is a cheese traditionally produced around the city of Lille, France. In France it is also known as Boule de Lille after its city of origin,[1]orvieux Hollande because it was originally inspired by the Dutch Edam cheese.[2]
Mimolette has a spherical shape and is similar in appearance to a cantaloupe melon.[3] It normally weighs about 2 kg (approximately 4.5 pounds) and is made from cow's milk. Its name comes from the French word mi-mou (feminine mi-molle), meaning "semi-soft", which refers to the oily texture of this otherwise hard cheese.[4] The bright orange color of the cheese comes from the natural seasoning, annatto.[5] When used in small amounts, primarily as a food colorant, annatto adds no discernible flavor[6] or aroma. The grey-colored rind of aged Mimolette occurs from cheese mites that are added to the surface of the cheese, which serve to enhance its flavor.[3]
Mimolette can be consumed at different stages of aging. When younger, its taste resembles that of Parmesan.[4] Many appreciate it most when it is "extra-old" (extra-vieille).[7] At that point, it can become rather hard to chew, and the flesh takes on a hazelnut-like flavor.
It was originally made by the request of Louis XIV, who – in the context of Jean-Baptiste Colbert's mercantilistic policies – was looking for a native French product to replace the then very popular Edam.[2] To make it distinct from Edam, it was first colored using carrot juice and later seasoned with annatto to give it a distinct orange color.[2]
The cheese was known to be a favorite of French President Charles de Gaulle.[8]
In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration detained about a ton of the cheese, putting further imports to the United States on hold. This was because the cheese mites could cause an allergic reaction[3] if consumed in large quantities. The FDA stated that the cheese was above the standard of six mites per cubic inch.[9] The restriction was lifted in 2014.[10]
