Brick Cheese vs Glarner Alpkäse Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is a cow-milk cheese.

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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

Glarner Alpkäse is a Swiss raw cow's milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Glarus during the summer grazing season. The wheels have no holes and reach the market in mild, spicy and sharp grades. It has held AOP protection since 2014.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (natural, formed in a salt bath)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Glarner Alpkäse Cheese (mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese brings mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening character.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Glarner Alpkäse Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese brings mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese suits recipes that want sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age notes, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese fits dishes calling for mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in flavor and finish.

Does Brick Cheese taste like Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is mild when young, more pungent with longer ripening.

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 Glarner Alpkäse Cheese made of?

Glarner Alpkäse Cheese is made from cow milk (raw).

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Glarner Alpkäse Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.