Brick Cheese vs Pimento Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Pimento Cheese is spreadable, 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 Pimento Cheese?

Pimento cheese is a spread of grated cheddar, mayonnaise and chopped pimentos worked into a chunky paste. It started in the Northern United States in the early 1900s and is now tied to Southern cooking, served on crackers, in sandwiches and at the Masters Tournament.

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

• Milk type: Brick Cheese (Cow's milk), Pimento Cheese (Cheddar, farmers’ style)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Pimento Cheese (Spreadable)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Pimento Cheese (Sweet, rounded chili)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Pimento Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Pimento Cheese's sweet, rounded chili. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Pimento Cheese leans toward pimento peppers, mayonnaise, sometimes spicy additions.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Pimento Cheese?

Brick Cheese can stand in for Pimento 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 spreadable. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Pimento Cheese brings sweet, rounded chili notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Pimento 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 spreadable profile, Pimento 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 Pimento Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, rounded chili.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Pimento Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Pimento Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Pimento Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Pimento Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Pimento Cheese is sweet, rounded chili. Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Pimento Cheese is closer to sweet, rounded chili.

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 Pimento Cheese made of?

Pimento Cheese is made from milk. It originates in United States.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Pimento Cheese?

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