Brick Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, washed-rind cow-milk cheese from United States, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (Semi-hard, washed-rind), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, crumbly)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard, washed-rind bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard, washed-rind cheese, go with Brick Cheese. For a hard, crumbly profile, Red Leicester 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 Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

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

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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, washed-rind, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, crumbly.