Brick Cheese vs Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, creamy 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 Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is a young, soft-paste cheese made from pasteurized Friesian cow's milk in La Seu d'Urgell, Catalonia. It is the only Catalan cheese with a Protected Designation of Origin, and it tastes light with a salty aftertaste.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Soft, creamy)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Natural, slightly moist, light brown)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (up to one month)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya (Soft, clear, pleasant)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya brings soft, clear, pleasant character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya's sweet, penetrating. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya leans toward light, with a salty aftertaste and intense, persistent secondary aromas. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya at up to one month.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya 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 soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya brings soft, clear, pleasant notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

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, creamy profile, Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya 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 Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya fits dishes calling for soft, clear, pleasant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya up to one month.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, clear, pleasant. Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is closer to sweet, penetrating.

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 Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya made of?

Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged up to one month.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened, while Queso de l'Alt Urgell y la Cerdanya is soft, creamy.