Brick Cheese vs Pepper Jack Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Pepper Jack Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in United States.

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 Pepper Jack Cheese?

Pepper Jack is a version of Monterey Jack, the white cow's milk cheese from Monterey, California, flavored with spicy chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs. It melts cleanly, so it shows up in quesadillas, burritos, cheeseburgers, and grilled cheese.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Pepper Jack Cheese?

• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Pepper Jack Cheese (semi-soft)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Pepper Jack Cheese (about 1 month)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Pepper Jack Cheese (spicy, from chili peppers and herbs)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Pepper Jack Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Pepper Jack Cheese brings spicy, from chili peppers and herbs character. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Pepper Jack Cheese leans toward mild and slightly sweet monterey jack base under the pepper heat. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Pepper Jack Cheese at about 1 month.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Pepper Jack Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Pepper Jack 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 semi-soft. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Pepper Jack Cheese brings spicy, from chili peppers and herbs notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Pepper Jack 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 semi-soft profile, Pepper Jack 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 Pepper Jack Cheese fits dishes calling for spicy, from chili peppers and herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Pepper Jack Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Pepper Jack Cheese about 1 month.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Pepper Jack Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Pepper Jack Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Pepper Jack Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Pepper Jack Cheese is spicy, from chili peppers and herbs.

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 Pepper Jack Cheese made of?

Pepper Jack Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged about 1 month. It originates in United States.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Pepper Jack Cheese?

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