The main difference between cream cheese and Neufchatel is that cream cheese is a soft, mild-tasting American cheese that contains about 33% fat, while Neufchatel is a soft white French cheese that has a lower fat content.
Both cream cheese and Neufchatel are soft, white cheese varieties that have a delightful taste. Neufchatel is a cheese that originated in France, but there is also an American version of this cheese. So it’s always to read the label to make sure you’re buying the original French version. This article mainly focuses on the difference between cream cheese and Neufchatel French version.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Neufchatel
– Definition, Features
2. What is Cream Cheese
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Cream Cheese and Neufchatel
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cheese, Cream Cheese, Neufchatel
What is Neufchatel
Neufchatel is a soft white French cheese, originally made in the region of Neufchâtel-en-Bray, in Normandy. Original Neufchatel dates back to the 6th century, and some consider it to be the oldest cheese variety in France. Neufchatel is a soft, slightly crumbly, mold-ripened cheese. With its dry, white, edible ring, it looks similar to Camembert, but it has a saltier and sharper taste. It also has a grainy texture. Moreover, Neufchatel is made only from raw cow’s milk and contains about 23% milkfat.
Neufchatel is also a member of the AOC family. AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) is a French food-labeling term that aims to protect the ingredients, styles, and origin of a product. However, there is also an American version of Neufchatel, which is more like cream cheese than the original French version. Most people buy this version assuming it to be the original French cheese. So it’s important that you read the label well before buying.
What is Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is soft, mild-tasting American cheese made from milk and cream. Cream cheese is soft, white, and has a very smooth texture. It can be made from pasteurized milk or unskimmed milk and cream. Since it is made using milk and cream, its milk fat content is 33%, and its moisture content is not more than 55%. Cream cheese also has a mild, slightly sweet taste. It’s also flavored with herbs, garlic, black pepper, and fruits.
William Lawrence of Chester, an American dairy man, is credited with the development of this cheese. The recipe of cream cheese is based on Neufchâtel, but there is a difference in their ingredients and production. This cheese is firmed with the use of lactic acid or stabilizers, like guar gum. If not, cream cheese tends to be crumbly. Moreover, cream cheese is not naturally matured and is rindless. Most prefer to use cream cheese for dips, toppings, frostings, and sweet and savory dishes. It’s best to consume it within one week after opening since it’s highly perishable.
Difference Between Cream Cheese and Neufchatel
Definition
Cream cheese is soft, mild-tasting, American cheese made from milk and cream, while Neufchatel is a soft white French cheese, originally made in the region of Neufchâtel-en-Bray, in Normandy.
Origin
While cream cheese is American, Neufchatel comes from France, specifically the region of Neufchâtel-en-Bray.
Ingredients
Cream cheese is made from pasteurized or unskimmed milk and cream, but Neufchatel is made only from raw cow’s milk.
Appearance
In addition, cream cheese is soft, white, and has a very smooth texture and has no rind, whereas Neufchatel has a grainy and crumbly texture and has a velvety bloomy rind that is soft and downy.
Fat Content
Cream cheese’s milk fat content is 33%, but Neufchatel has a lower fat content.
Conclusion
The main difference between cream cheese and Neufchatel is that cream cheese is a soft, mild-tasting American cheese that contains about 33% fat, while Neufchatel is a soft white French cheese that has a lower fat content.
Reference:
1. “Cream Cheese.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 May 2021.
2. “Neufchatel vs Cream Cheese: Are They the Same?” Kitchen Encounters.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Cœurs de Neufchâtel 02” By Coyau (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Crackers-cream-cheese-cheese-food-984308” (CC0) via Pixabay
Leave a Reply