by LOS ANGELES, California — A new addition to Trader Joe’s cheese aisle is making waves — not because of its flavor alone, but because of the tiny creatures that help create it. The French Mimolette cheese, now available at select Trader Joe’s locations, owes its distinctive taste and texture to an unusual aging process involving microscopic cheese mites.
Trader Joe’s Shoppers React to ‘Bugs in Cheese’ Revelation
The buzz began after content creator Meg Quinn (@ainttooproudtomeg) posted a TikTok video introducing the bright orange cheese, describing it as “delicious” despite its unconventional backstory. Her video has since been viewed more than 557,000 times.
“There is a new cheese at Trader Joe’s — and it has bugs in it. Like, actual bugs living on the rind,” Quinn said in the clip. “But it is delicious. So hear me out.”
She explained that the microscopic cheese mites, also known as flower mites, are deliberately introduced during aging. “They burrow themselves into the rind to aerate the cheese, creating the small holes and nutty flavor Mimolette is famous for,” Quinn said.
While the mention of bugs might unsettle some, food experts emphasize that this process is centuries-old and entirely natural in traditional French cheesemaking. The mites contribute to the cheese’s deep orange color, rich aroma, and complex, nutty taste — traits that have made Mimolette beloved across Europe.
A Rare Find at Trader Joe’s
Quinn, who says she has long been a Mimolette fan, noted that she usually buys it at Whole Foods and was surprised to see it at Trader Joe’s for the first time. “Grab it while you can,” she advised, suggesting it could be a limited-time offering.
She also called it a “perfect holiday cheese” thanks to its bright orange hue — ideal for Halloween and Thanksgiving cheese boards. For those looking to impress guests, Quinn offers French and Trader Joe’s cheese board guides on her social platforms.
Despite its unusual backstory, Quinn reassures shoppers: “You may just wanna forget this fun fact and go ahead and enjoy the cheese because it is really delicious.”
Mimolette’s Complicated U.S. History
The cheese’s mite-based production method once caused major controversy in the United States. In 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) temporarily banned Mimolette imports, citing health concerns over excessive mite presence on the rind.
According to NPR, the FDA suggested a limit of six mites per square inch, a nearly impossible standard for properly aged Mimolette. The decision stranded thousands of pounds of cheese in U.S. warehouses and infuriated importers and cheese lovers alike.
“They say the product, because of the mites, is not proper for human consumption,” Benoit de Vitton, North American representative for French producer Isigny, told NPR at the time. He said he had more than a ton of cheese held up in New Jersey due to the restrictions.
Eventually, after public backlash and expert defense, Mimolette returned to American shelves by late 2014.
Experts: ‘Cheese Is Absolutely Alive’
Scientists and cheesemakers alike have defended the presence of mites as a natural and essential part of traditional aging.
Rachel Dutton, a microbiologist who runs Harvard’s cheese lab, explained that cheese mites are harmless to most consumers. “There have been some reports of mite allergies, but they’re limited to people who’ve had long-term exposure — not typical cheese eaters,” she said.
Dutton added, “Cheese is absolutely alive.” Molds, bacteria, yeasts, and mites all interact to develop complex flavors and textures in aged cheeses like Mimolette, Stilton, and clothbound cheddar.
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The mites feed on the cheese’s rind for months or even years, aerating and flavoring it before being mostly removed using compressed air and hand-brushing. A few mites remain — but they are microscopic and invisible to the naked eye.
From Banned to Beloved
Ironically, the origins of Mimolette itself stem from a political ban. In the 17th century, France was at war with Holland, and King Louis XIV banned Dutch Gouda imports. French cheesemakers responded by creating their own version — Mimolette — with a distinct orange hue and nutty taste.
Today, it’s considered a classic French cheese with a cult following among food enthusiasts. And now, thanks to Trader Joe’s, more Americans are discovering its unique story — mites and all.
So while it might sound unsettling to eat a cheese aged with microscopic bugs, experts say it’s completely safe — and for many, worth every bite.
For more quirky food trends and updates, visit race-day-live.com.
