Cheese Mites?

I received a Jungle Jim's Market email yesterday. It's a weekly email to update on store events and new products. A new product they have in is Mimolette Cheese. It was banned in the U.S. for a while because it's helped aged by Cheese Mites! Don't know if I'll try it but it sounds interesting so I thought I would pass it along.



A "Mitey" Infestation

Mimolette

In the past few years no cheese has sparked such a controversy as Mimolette. Mimolette is an aged French cheese that was first produced in the 17th century. France was at war with Holland, and King Louis XVI didn’t want any more Dutch cheeses coming into the country. Cheese producers in France created Mimolette - a Gouda or Edam like cheese, but orange in color to separate it from other cheeses. Mimolette is available in a few varieties based on age, like the 6-month and 22-month aged selections that we carry.



The aged Mimolette has caused quite a controversy in the last year because of its aging process. Cheese mites are used in the aging process of certain cheeses, like Mimolette, to eat the microscopic molds that grow near the rind of the cheese. This produces a unique product. The cheese mites are then removed before selling the cheese.

Because of this process, the Food and Drug administration started their own war with French cheese makers and cheese lovers all over the world. In March 2013, a half ton of Mimolette was refused because of the tiny mites. Although the FDA has denied any ban on Mimolette, it is almost impossible to find this delicious French cheese anywhere. At Jungle Jim’s, we have been lucky enough to get our hands on some of the aged Mimolette. Feeling a bit rebellious? Stop in and try this controversial cheese. You won’t forget it! Until next time foodies - stay cheesy!



Wiki - Mimolette

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. In some areas of Belgium and the Netherlands, such as Flanders, it is also known as commissiekaas.

It was originally made by the request of Louis XIV, who - in the context of Jean-Baptiste Colbert's mercantilistic policies - was looking for a native French product to replace the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. To differentiate it from Edam, however, he had it colored orange.

A cow's-milk cheese, it normally weighs about 4.5 pounds. Its name comes from the French word molle, meaning "soft". This refers to the softness of the crust when young - with age it becomes harder. It has a grey crust and orangish flesh. The orange colour comes from the natural colorant, annatto. The cheese has a similar appearance to a cantaloupe melon.

The grayish crust 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 flavor.