Brick Cheese vs Gruyère Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, washed-rind cow-milk cheese from United States, while Gruyère Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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 Gruyère Cheese?

Gruyère is a hard Swiss cheese from the cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Jura and Bern. It is sweet with a salty edge, creamy and nutty when young, sharper and earthier with age, and it melts well enough to carry fondue and French onion soup.

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

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Gruyère Cheese (Switzerland)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (Semi-hard, washed-rind), Gruyère Cheese (Hard)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Gruyère Cheese (Natural, orangy)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Gruyère Cheese (5 months to 24+)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Gruyère Cheese (Nutty, complex)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Gruyère Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Gruyère Cheese brings nutty, complex character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Gruyère Cheese's earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Gruyère Cheese leans toward moister and denser than sbrinz, typically with few to no holes. variants include gruyère d'alpage. flavors range from fruity, earthy, to barnyardy, especially in gruyère d'alpage. aged versions (15-24 months for gruyère, up to 40 months for comté) are drier, more granular, with finer and more complex aromas. younger cheese is more meltable and used in cooking, while older cheese has more intense flavors.. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Gruyère Cheese at 5 months to 24+.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Gruyère Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Gruyère Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, washed-rind cheese, go with Brick Cheese. For a hard profile, Gruyère 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 Gruyère Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, complex.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Gruyère Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Gruyère Cheese comes from Switzerland. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Gruyère Cheese 5 months to 24+.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Gruyère Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Gruyère Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Gruyère Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Gruyère Cheese is nutty, complex. Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Gruyère Cheese is closer to earthy, fruity, possibly barnyardy.

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 Gruyère Cheese made of?

Gruyère Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 5 months to 24+. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Gruyère Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, washed-rind, while Gruyère Cheese is hard.