Brick Cheese vs Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals and made from cow milk.

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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) cheese made in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is crafted using local milk and a unique dry stir technique developed in 1984, which gives it a firm, dense texture. The cheese matures for 6 to 18 months, creating medium, mature, and extra mature varieties with savory, nutty flavors. The production process includes hand-salting the curd for even distribution and controlled maturation for consistent quality. Orkney Cheddar has won multiple awards and is known for its excellent melting properties. It is available in both white and colored forms, with the latter containing a vegetable-based pigment.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (None)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (6 to 18 months)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese brings savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese's clean and characteristic of cheddar. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese leans toward moderate sharp acid notes, rounded with savory and nutty undertones. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese at 6 to 18 months.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese brings savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals profile, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar 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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese 6 to 18 months.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging. Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is closer to clean and characteristic of cheddar.

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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese made of?

Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 18 months.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals.