Mimolette

Hard
Cow's Milk
Lille, France

Mimolette is a hard cheese with a rough rind and a bright orange interior. The colouring is achieved by the use of Anatto, which comes from the seeds of the South American achiote tree. Anatto was extremely elusive during the times of the spice trade, and to colour your cheese with this rare foreign seed was a symbol of wealth. As such, Mimolette was often served at the tables of Lords, Ladies and royalty. 

The rough texture and appearance of the rind is caused by the work of tiny cheese mites. The French call them 'tiny affineurs' for their important role in the aging process as they gradually eat the rind and aerate the cheese, drawing moisture and concentrating delicious flavours.

As a result, we get a fudgy, chewy and nutty cheese with notes of butterscotch and caramel. Mimolette pairs perfectly with pale ales, belgian ales and IPAs.