Brick Cheese vs Domiati Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Domiati Cheese is soft and made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.

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 Is Domiati Cheese?

Domiati is the most common cheese in Egypt, a soft white salty cheese usually made from buffalo or cow milk. Salt goes into the milk before the rennet, which sets it apart from feta and gives the cheese its sharp, pickled character.

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

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Domiati Cheese (Egypt)
• Milk type: Brick Cheese (Cow's milk), Domiati Cheese (Primarily buffalo, but also cow's, goat's, etc.)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Domiati Cheese (Soft)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Domiati Cheese (None)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Domiati Cheese (Fresh or 3-4 months pickled)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Domiati Cheese (Salty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Domiati Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Domiati Cheese brings salty character. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Domiati Cheese leans toward salty, chewy, similar to feta but with salting occurring before renneting. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Domiati Cheese at fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Domiati Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Domiati Cheese comes from Egypt. Brick Cheese is made from cow milk; Domiati Cheese uses cow, goat, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Domiati Cheese fresh or 3-4 months pickled.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Domiati Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Domiati Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Domiati Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Domiati Cheese is salty.

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.

What is Domiati Cheese made of?

Domiati Cheese is made from cow, goat, or buffalo milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh or 3-4 months pickled. It originates in Egypt.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Domiati Cheese?

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