Brick cheese facts for kids
Brick cheese is a special type of cheese that comes from Wisconsin, a state in the U.S.. It gets its name because it's often made in a brick-like shape. When it's young, this cheese is usually pale yellow or white and has a sweet, mild taste. As it gets older, its flavor becomes stronger and more "ripe." It's known for being a medium-soft cheese.
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Where Did Brick Cheese Come From?
Brick cheese was first made in Wisconsin way back in 1877. A cheesemaker named John Jossi, who had Swiss roots, created it. The way it's made is similar to how white American Cheddar is produced, but with a few differences. These changes make brick cheese a bit softer.
How Brick Cheese Is Made
Brick cheese is made in a large rectangular shape, like a brick. Some people say it's called "brick" cheese because the cheese curds (the solid parts of milk used to make cheese) are pressed using heavy clay bricks.
Special Bacteria for Flavor
A special type of bacteria, called Brevibacterium linens, grows on the outside of brick cheese. This makes it a "surface-ripened" cheese. This same bacteria is also important for aging other famous cheeses like Limburger cheese. Cheesemakers sometimes call this growth a "smear" because it spreads over the cheese.
To help the cheese age, it's placed on wooden shelves. Workers then wash the cheese with a mix of whey (the liquid part of milk) and water, and they turn the cheese regularly. After several days, the cheese is ready to be packaged.
What Is Brick Cheese Used For?
Brick cheese is a very popular ingredient, especially in one specific type of food. It is the traditional cheese used to make Detroit-style pizza. Its unique flavor and texture make it perfect for this kind of pizza.
