Brick Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese

Q: Is Brick Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No. Brick Cheese and Taleggio Cheese are distinct cheeses from United States and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Brick Cheese for Taleggio Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Brick Cheese

Taleggio Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Taleggio Cheese?

Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.

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

Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Taleggio Cheese (Italy)
Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Taleggio Cheese (At least 35 (up to 50) days)
Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Taleggio Cheese (Sweet, delicate, slightly sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Brick Cheese	Taleggio Cheese
Country of Origin	United States	Italy
Specific Origin	Wisconsin	Val Taleggio, Po Valley
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Heated to 90–95°F
Texture	Semi-hard, smear-ripened	Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center
Rind	Washed	Soft, thin, pinkish-red
Aging	Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks	At least 35 (up to 50) days
Taste	Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age	Sweet, delicate, slightly sour

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Taleggio Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Taleggio Cheese's herbaceous, aromatic. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Taleggio Cheese leans toward herbaceous, aromatic, intensifies and becomes more complex over time. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Taleggio Cheese at at least 35 (up to 50) days.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes, Brick Cheese and Taleggio Cheese 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, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio 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 Taleggio Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, delicate, slightly sour.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Taleggio Cheese comes from Italy. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Taleggio Cheese at least 35 (up to 50) days.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Taleggio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Taleggio Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Taleggio Cheese is sweet, delicate, slightly sour. Aromas also diverge. Brick Cheese leans pungent, rich, and Taleggio Cheese is closer to herbaceous, aromatic.

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 Taleggio Cheese made of?

Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Brick Cheese is semi-hard, smear-ripened, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.