Bread Cheese vs Brick Cheese

Bread Cheese is a squeaky cow or goat-milk cheese from Finland, while Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened and made from cow milk, originating in United States.

What Is Bread Cheese?

Bread cheese, or leipäjuusto, is a Finnish fresh cheese traditionally made from cow's colostrum and baked until the surface browns. It has a mild flavor, squeaks against the teeth, and is usually eaten in slices with coffee.

What Is Brick Cheese?

Brick cheese is a Wisconsin cheese pressed into brick shape and ripened on the surface with Brevibacterium linens. Young, it is sweet, mild and melts well; aged, it smells stronger and tastes nuttier. It is the traditional cheese on Detroit-style pizza.

What's the Difference Between Bread Cheese and Brick Cheese?

• Origin: Bread Cheese (Finland), Brick Cheese (United States)
• Milk type: Bread Cheese (cow, goat), Brick Cheese (Cow's milk)
• Texture: Bread Cheese (squeaky), Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened)
• Aging: Bread Cheese (fresh), Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks)
• Taste: Bread Cheese (mild), Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bread Cheese Taste Like Brick Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Brick Cheese brings sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age character. On the nose, Bread Cheese offers appetizing when heated, contrasted with Brick Cheese's pungent, rich. Aging plays into this as well. Bread Cheese at fresh develops a different profile than Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks.

Can You Substitute Bread Cheese for Brick Cheese?

Bread Cheese can stand in for Brick Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect squeaky bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, smear-ripened. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese reads as mild while Brick Cheese brings sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age notes.

Which Is Better, Bread Cheese or Brick Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a squeaky cheese, go with Bread Cheese. For a semi-hard, smear-ripened profile, Brick Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bread Cheese suits recipes that want mild notes, while Brick Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bread Cheese the same as Brick Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bread Cheese originates in Finland, while Brick Cheese comes from United States. Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk; Brick Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Bread Cheese is typically aged fresh, Brick Cheese best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks.

Is Bread Cheese similar to Brick Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bread Cheese for Brick Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bread Cheese taste like Brick Cheese?

Bread Cheese reads as mild, while Brick Cheese is sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age. Aromas also diverge. Bread Cheese leans appetizing when heated, and Brick Cheese is closer to pungent, rich.

What is Bread Cheese made of?

Bread Cheese is made from cow or goat milk. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Finland.

What is Brick Cheese made of?

Brick Cheese is made from cow milk. It's typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks. It originates in United States.

Which should I choose, Bread Cheese or Brick Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bread Cheese is squeaky, while Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened.