Brick Cheese vs Queijo Serra da Estrela

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) and made from sheep milk, originating in Portugal.

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 Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Serra da Estrela is a sheep's milk cheese from the mountains of central Portugal, protected as a PDO in the European Union and the UK. It is coagulated with thistle instead of rennet, and its paste runs from nearly semi-liquid when young to solid but sliceable with age.

What's the Difference Between Brick Cheese and Queijo Serra da Estrela?

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Portugal)
• Milk type: Brick Cheese (Cow's milk), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Sheep)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (Velho))
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth and semi-soft (standard), smooth to slightly wrinkled and hard to extra hard (Velho))
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Minimum 30 days; 120 days for "Velho")
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Queijo Serra da Estrela (Smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (Velho))

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Queijo Serra da Estrela's pungent. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Queijo Serra da Estrela leans toward slightly acidic, strong to slightly strong, slightly spicy/salty. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Queijo Serra da Estrela at minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Brick Cheese can stand in for Queijo Serra da Estrela 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 closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho). Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Queijo Serra da Estrela brings smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho) notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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 closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho) profile, Queijo Serra da Estrela 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 Queijo Serra da Estrela fits dishes calling for smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Queijo Serra da Estrela?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Queijo Serra da Estrela comes from Portugal. Brick Cheese is made from cow milk; Queijo Serra da Estrela uses sheep. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Queijo Serra da Estrela minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho".

Is Brick Cheese similar to Queijo Serra da Estrela?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Queijo Serra da Estrela?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Brick Cheese taste like Queijo Serra da Estrela?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is smooth, clean, and slightly acidic (standard); pleasant, lingering, clean, strong to slightly strong and slightly spicy/salty (velho). Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Queijo Serra da Estrela is closer to pungent.

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 Queijo Serra da Estrela made of?

Queijo Serra da Estrela is made from sheep milk (raw), using cardoon flower (cynara cardunculus, l) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 30 days; 120 days for "velho". It originates in Portugal.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Queijo Serra da Estrela?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened, while Queijo Serra da Estrela is closed, slightly buttery, creamy and smooth (standard); closed or with some eyes, slightly dry crumbly body (velho).