Brick Cheese vs Havarti Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Havarti Cheese is smooth and made from cow milk, originating in Denmark.

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 Havarti Cheese?

Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow's milk cheese, mild and buttery with very small irregular eyes running through a rindless, cream to yellow paste. It slices, grills, and melts, and the EU reserved the name for Denmark in 2019.

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

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Havarti Cheese (Denmark)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Havarti Cheese (Smooth)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Havarti Cheese (rindless)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Havarti Cheese (about 3 months)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Havarti Cheese (Mild, buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Havarti Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Havarti Cheese's buttery. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Havarti Cheese leans toward mild, buttery, slightly acidic cheese known for its irregularly shaped small holes creating a lacy appearance. smooth and firm texture, can be complimented with herbs or jalapeño peppers. variants include creamy versions with up to 65% fat on dry matter basis. manufactured in denmark, united kingdom, canada, and the united states, including artisanal and mass-produced by arla foods and costello.. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Havarti Cheese at about 3 months.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Havarti Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Havarti Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, smear-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for smooth. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Havarti Cheese brings mild, buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Havarti 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 smooth profile, Havarti 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 Havarti Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, buttery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Havarti Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Havarti Cheese comes from Denmark. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Havarti Cheese about 3 months.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Havarti Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Havarti Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Brick Cheese taste like Havarti Cheese?

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

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 Havarti Cheese made of?

Havarti Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 3 months. It originates in Denmark.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Havarti Cheese?

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