Brick Cheese vs Urdă Cheese

Brick Cheese is a semi-hard, smear-ripened cow-milk cheese from United States, while Urdă Cheese is creamy, delicate and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

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 Urdă Cheese?

Urdă is a whey cheese made across Southeast Europe and in Hungary by boiling the whey drained from other cheeses. The paste is finely grained and silky, and most of it ends up in desserts and filled pastries.

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

• Origin: Brick Cheese (United States), Urdă Cheese (Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine)
• Milk type: Brick Cheese (Cow's milk), Urdă Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)
• Texture: Brick Cheese (semi-hard, smear-ripened), Urdă Cheese (Creamy, delicate)
• Rind: Brick Cheese (washed), Urdă Cheese (Yellowish)
• Aging: Brick Cheese (Best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks), Urdă Cheese (Up to 360 days)
• Taste: Brick Cheese (Sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age), Urdă Cheese (High quality)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Brick Cheese Taste Like Urdă Cheese?

Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age, while Urdă Cheese brings high quality character. On the nose, Brick Cheese offers pungent, rich, contrasted with Urdă Cheese's fresh. More specifically, Brick Cheese shows sweet and mild when unaged, nuttier with a stronger smell after aging, while Urdă Cheese leans toward creamier and superior sensory qualities compared to mizithra. Aging plays into this as well. Brick Cheese at best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks develops a different profile than Urdă Cheese at up to 360 days.

Can You Substitute Brick Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

Brick Cheese can stand in for Urdă 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 creamy, delicate. Flavor-wise, Brick Cheese reads as sweet and mild when young, matures into strong, ripe cheese with age while Urdă Cheese brings high quality notes.

Which Is Better, Brick Cheese or Urdă 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 creamy, delicate profile, Urdă 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 Urdă Cheese fits dishes calling for high quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brick Cheese the same as Urdă Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Brick Cheese originates in United States, while Urdă Cheese comes from Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Brick Cheese is made from cow milk; Urdă Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Brick Cheese is typically aged best enjoyed at between 10 and 12 weeks, Urdă Cheese up to 360 days.

Is Brick Cheese similar to Urdă Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Brick Cheese for Urdă Cheese?

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

Does Brick Cheese taste like Urdă Cheese?

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

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 Urdă Cheese made of?

Urdă Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged up to 360 days. It originates in Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine.

Which should I choose, Brick Cheese or Urdă Cheese?

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