What is a French cheese with mites called?

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, or vieux Hollande for being made after the tradition of Edam cheese.

The greyish rind of aged Mimolette is the result of cheese mites intentionally introduced to add flavor by their action on the surface of the cheese.

Mimolette can be consumed at different stages of aging. When younger, its taste resembles that of Parmesan. Many appreciate it most when "extra-old" (extra-vieille). At that point, it can become rather hard to chew, and the flesh takes a hazelnut-like flavour.

The cheese was known to be a favorite of French President Charles De Gaulle.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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29 Comments

David Colloby

I had not heard of this cheese however, I Mite try it

Mic Fenst

The other three cheeses are not French, so it was process of elimination again.

Glynis Rix

Very witty David!😂

Alex Markin

There was only 1 French sounding cheese among the options. I will make a point of visiting Lille next time I am in France with the explicit goal of trying the range of Mimolettes, along with local claret.

Patty K

Patty K, I stand corrected, only the Italian is banned

Patty K

Didn't know there was a French cheese like this! I've heard of the Italian one with maggots, though. Don't think I'll try either, particularly since they are both banned in the US. Don't want bugs in my cheese, anyway

Lorenzo Lucia

David Colloby, thanks for the pun. Love it! :)

Jacqueline Tattam

John Ryan, I don’t know what cheese you tried but it definitely wasn’t French!

Jacqueline Tattam

Irma Rivera, it’s not banned anymore. My friend has a fromagerie in San Francisco and imports it.

Karin Johansson

John Ryan, then you have never tasted French cheese.

John Ryan

It`s like all other French cheese, tastless.

erik hughes

Irma Rivera, that's funny - I've seen it available on multiple websites (in America) where they would be happy to ship it anywhere in the US! And what makes you think tasting it would be "an awful experience"? Many find it delicious. You know that there are mites living in your eyelashes, don't you?