Mimolette (‘boule de Lille’) is a very mature Edam – aged for 18 to 24 months – made in Lille in the 17th century as an alternative to Dutch Edam when Colbert forbade the import of foreign cheeses into France. It has a wonderfully sweet, hazelnut flavour. It was originally made by the request of Louis XIV, who was looking for a native French product to replace the then very popular Edam. To differentiate it from Edam, however, he had it coloured bright orange with annatto – a natural food dye.