Brick Cheese vs Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese
Brick Cheese
Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese
Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes and made from cow, goat, and sheep 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 Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
Picón Bejes-Tresviso is a blue cheese from the Liébana valley in Cantabria, Spain, made from a mix of cow, sheep and goat milk. It has held DO protection since 1994 and finishes in natural limestone caves, which gives it teal veins and a strong, slightly spicy bite.
What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
- Milk type: Brick Cheese (Cow's milk), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk)
- Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes)
- Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Soft, thin, smooth)
- Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave)
- Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese (Slightly piquant)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Brick Cheese | Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United States | — |
| Specific Origin | Wisconsin | Liébana District (Potes, Pesaguero, Cabezón De Liébana, Camaleño, Castro Cillorigo, Tresviso, Vega De Liébana, And Peñarrubia) |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow’s, sheep’s, and goat’s milk |
| Texture | Semi-hard, smear-ripened | Soft, Semi-Hard, Compact with eyes |
| Rind | Washed | Soft, thin, smooth |
| Aging | Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks | At least 2 months in a natural limestone cave |
| Taste | Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age | Slightly piquant |
Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese brings slightly piquant character. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese leans toward powerful, slightly spicy. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese at at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave.
Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
Brick Cheese can stand in for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect semi-hard, smear-ripened bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese brings slightly piquant notes.
Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso 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 soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes profile, Picón Bejes-Tresviso 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 Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese fits dishes calling for slightly piquant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brick Cheese the same as Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese is made from cow milk; Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave.
Is Brick Cheese similar to Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Brick Cheese taste like Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is slightly piquant.
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 Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese made of?
Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk. It's typically aged at least 2 months in a natural limestone cave.
Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened, while Picón Bejes-Tresviso Cheese is soft, semi-hard, compact with eyes.