There is a constant question about Neufchatel vs cream cheese and their difference. Regardless of their recipe, these are dairy products with a soft texture. No ripening stage and no additional processing methods (smoking, melting) are used in the manufacturing process. In the modern world, there are many varieties of soft cheeses. Many of them have gained worldwide popularity.
These products contain many proteins, fats, carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamins, and mineral salts. The rich chemical composition of a cream product determines its beneficial properties. Eating these foods improves the functioning of the digestive system, brain, kidneys, and heart. They normalize metabolism, remove toxic substances, and increase immunity.
Cream cheese is a famous food in countless recipes. However, we see these products in similar packaging in grocery stores with “Neufchatel” inscription in the same section. You may have read that both are interchangeable in cooking, but is it true? And what is Neufchatel cheese vs cream cheese taste and structure?
Neufchatel: Everything You Need to Know
In Article
There is a question of is Neufchatel cheese cream cheese? That is the prototype of Philadelphia. It is produced from cow milk, adding rennet to curdling and a special yeast fungus. After 10 days, the product is ready. By this time, the surface dries up and covers with a velvety white mold, which gives it a specific moldy aroma and fresh taste.
A unique Neufchatel frosting can conquer anyone with a taste and aroma that causes ecstasy in gourmets in a second. A spicy, soft, and incredibly aged slice is difficult to compare with another cream cheese name and type. In Normandy, there are many legends about this product, which is prepared in the form of a large heart.
Neufchatel is one of the most ancient and authentic cheeses. If you dig deeper, it becomes clear where such an exquisite but simple name comes from. It was named after the village where this cheese was invented and is still produced for export worldwide.
Bit of Neufchatel History
Well, Neufatel cream cheese has been mentioned in French chronicles since 1035. It got its famous and romantic form during the Hundred Years’ War. During the long occupation of a significant part of French territory (including Normandy) by the British, many hearts were broken, and not all of them with the help of weapons. Since then, this dairy product has been made in small hearts, and it remains one of the most delicious and original gifts for Valentine’s Day to this day.
Century by century, its popularity grew, and it moved from the tables of the Norman peasants to the tables of royal persons very soon. In the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte was among its admirers. During his visit to Normandy, he was presented with a whole basket of these products. In fact, Philadelphia Neufchatel cheese cubed is moderately popular, but not even every gourmet had the honor to try it.
Neufchatel Characteristics
Neufchatel was usually cooked in the shape of a heart. Unusual combinations of appearance and aroma attract not only gourmets but also aesthetes. It can also be found in briquette, square, etc. Also, it has two weight options — small (200 gr) and large (600 gr).
Neufchatel should be soft inside. The texture is another important distinguishing feature. Fat content is standard — no more and no less than 50%. The surface is spicy and the hardest in the product. It can be recognized by its special aroma and taste. Thanks to it, Neufchatel is slightly spicy. There is a moldy smell, but it is pleasant and unobtrusive.
Is Neufchatel Harmful?
Although cream cheese Neufchatel has a beneficial effect on the body, there are still some restrictions on how much and when you can eat it:
- You can’t eat more than 50 g in one day because the fungus can disrupt the intestinal microflora, and its work will be incorrect.
- Well, what is the difference between Neufchâtel and cream cheese? It has mold. Since Neufchatel is covered with mold, it causes allergies, especially if you eat a lot of it. If you are prone to allergies or have individual intolerance to penicillin, the situation will only worsen.
Cream Cheese: Is Neufchatel Cheese the Same as Cream Cheese or Not?
It is similar to cottage cheese in many ways. It got its name because of the main ingredient. It looks soft and tender thanks to it. This component is a thick and fragrant cream. A ready product is packed while still hot. This distribution slightly increases its shelf life. And special technologies makes it possible to preserve all the useful substances to the maximum. Also, various fillers are added to it, making its taste unusual.
The product is prepared from a mixture of cow milk and cream of varying degrees of fat content. The ingredient has become a cult ingredient for several national culinary traditions. The volume of this product consumption is growing every day. It is perfect for both a homemade sandwich and a gourmet restaurant dish. There are many types of cream cheese, as you can understand. It has become the main component of iconic dishes like the classic American cheesecake or the Philadelphia rolls, which indicates the gastronomic popularity of the component.
History of Cream Cheese
The history of the iconic product begins in 1872. The average milkman William Lawrence, popular with the locals, moved to Chester, New York, where he decided to create a new product. Lawrence recognized his creation as a real gastronomic revolution. He eliminated the ripening period, long aging, and complex technological solutions, which reduced the cost of production by more than 5 times.
William Lawrence brought a completely new product to the market, which attracted not only the gurus of the gastronomy industry but, most importantly, the buyers. An ordinary milkman created the perfect combination of full-fat milk and delicate cream, which cheese-making gurus had already tried to repeat then.
Cream Cheese Characteristics
This product contains a lot of proteins and fats. It is a high-calorie product. Its small amount can provide the body with energy and building material for cells for several hours. 30 grams of it is enough for the body to receive 10-15% of the daily intake of calcium and phosphorus, which are almost completely absorbed from the product. It contains vitamins A, B, K, and others. Its use is beneficial for adolescents during the period of active growth of the body. Still, you don’t have to eat a lot of this dairy product as excess calories and cholesterol can lead to overweight and hypertension.
Is Cream Cheese Harmful?
But not all people benefit from it. If you have lactose intolerance, casein allergy, or other food allergies, you had better not eat it. The high protein can trigger an attack of gout in people with purine metabolism disorders or an exacerbation of urolithiasis. Salted cream product is not recommended for people suffering from kidney diseases, swelling, and heart rhythm disorders. Obesity is also a contraindication to its use.
Cream Cheese vs Neufchatel: Is There a Difference?
Well, Neufchatel cheese vs cream cheese… What is the difference between them?
- Neufchatel was first cooked in France in the 6th century, and the use of a cream product began in England in the 1500s. Nowadays, the modified American Neufchatel is very similar to a cream product. They come in bars wrapped in foil, although the real Neufchatel is heart-shaped and encased in a dry rind.
- What is the Neufchatel cheese substitute, and is it there at all? Neufchatel is smoother and softer. Yes, some recipes may become an alternative to a cream product. Still, can you substitute Neufchatel cheese for cream cheese in recipes? Well, it is not always suitable for cheesecakes due to its dense structure.
- Both kinds of cheese are made from pasteurized milk. But Neufchatel has a lower fat and calorie content, making it a better option in some recipes. Real Neufchatel is made from raw cow milk and has a rich flavor.
- These products are harmful if eaten every day. Children shouldn’t eat these products at all. There are restrictions on the amount of product per day. Otherwise, you may feel unwell.
- You can serve fruit or a glass of wine with Neufchatel. The cream product can be just spread on bread.
- When choosing Neufchatel, pay attention to the manufacturer and expiration date. The smell may be associated with a medical facility when you sniff it. Check that the composition contains penicillin fungi and special bacteria.
FAQ
What Is Neufchatel Cheese Used For?
Neufchatel can be proud of its rich history. It has remained atypical. Its serving is quite simple, but the unique taste can be fully experienced only after the main meal and before dessert. Then, the spice will become a harmonious add and will not spoil the taste of a dessert. The perfect combination would be a slice of product and fragrant bread.
What Is Neufchatel Cream Cheese?
It is covered with a dry, delicate-tasting crust with white fluffy mold. Well, Neufchatel cheese taste like many people. It is tender and creamy, with the aromas of mushrooms. It has a granular structure.
What Is the Difference Between Cream Cheese and Neufchatel?
Well, is there a difference between Neufchatel and cream cheese at all? Neufchatel is a kind of cream cheese. It has a denser structure and white mold. Cream cheese is soft, mold-free, and easily spread on bread.
