Brick Cheese vs Sfela Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Sfela Cheese is semi-hard and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.

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 Sfela Cheese?

Sfela is a semi-hard cheese from the Peloponnese region of Greece. Made from sheep's milk or a mix of sheep and goat milk, it is often fried due to its high melting point. Sfela has a salty, tangy flavor, making it a popular choice for traditional Greek fried cheese dishes.

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

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Sfela Cheese (Greece)
• Milk type: Brick Cheese (Cow's milk), Sfela Cheese (Raw sheep’s milk or combination with goat’s milk)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Sfela Cheese (Semi-hard)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Sfela Cheese (Unique personality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Sfela Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Sfela Cheese brings unique personality character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Sfela Cheese's excellent aroma. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Sfela Cheese leans toward harder than feta, excellent aroma, unique personality.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Sfela Cheese?

Brick Cheese can stand in for Sfela 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 semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Sfela Cheese brings unique personality notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Sfela 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 semi-hard profile, Sfela 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 Sfela Cheese fits dishes calling for unique personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Sfela Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Sfela Cheese comes from Greece. Brick Cheese is made from cow milk; Sfela Cheese uses goat or sheep.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Sfela Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Sfela Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Sfela Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Sfela Cheese is unique personality. Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Sfela Cheese is closer to excellent aroma.

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 Sfela Cheese made of?

Sfela Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using traditional rennet. It originates in Greece.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Sfela Cheese?

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