Brick Cheese vs Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio is a long-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, the hard granular cow's milk cheese of Parma and Reggio Emilia. It is dry and grainy, with the sharp, salty, savory taste that makes it a grating cheese.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (hard, dry and grainy)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese (sharp, salty and savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory character. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese leans toward strong umami from a high glutamate content.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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 hard, dry and grainy. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese brings sharp, salty and savory notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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 hard, dry and grainy profile, Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio 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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese fits dishes calling for sharp, salty and savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is sharp, salty and savory.

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 Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese made of?

Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal (calf) rennet.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened, while Parmigiano Reggiano Stravecchio Cheese is hard, dry and grainy.