Cream cheese or spreadable cheese: what’s the difference?

Cream cheese and spreadable cheese are often used interchangeably. Both are soft, creamy, and delicious on a cracker. However, there is a difference. In this blog, you will learn what cream cheese and spreadable cheese are, how they differ, and how to serve them at their best.

What is cream cheese?

Cream cheese is a fresh cheese made from milk and cream. The milk is soured and thickened, after which the whey is removed. Cream cheese is not aged. As a result, it is soft, creamy, and fresh in taste, with a slightly tangy edge. Thanks to the extra cream, cream cheese is rich and full.

What is spreadable cheese?

Spreadable cheese is a collective term for all cheese that you can spread. It can be fresh cheese, such as cream cheese or spreadable goat cheese, but also an aged cheese that is so creamy that you can spread it. An example is Saint Agur spreadable blue cheese: an aged blue cheese with a cream-like texture. Read more about blue cheese in our blog what is blue cheese?

The difference at a glance

• What is it? Cream cheese is fresh cheese made from milk and cream. Spreadable cheese is a collective term for spreadable cheese.
• Aging: cream cheese is not aged. Spreadable cheese is usually not aged, but sometimes it is.
• Texture: cream cheese is creamy, soft, and fresh. Spreadable cheese varies from smooth to light.

In short: all cream cheese is spreadable, but not all spreadable cheese is cream cheese.

Cream cheese and spreadable cheese at Kaas & Borrelz

• Machelle pineapple cream cheese: creamy cream cheese with pieces of pineapple. Sweet and fresh.
• Machelle ginger cream cheese: creamy cream cheese with ginger. Lightly spicy and surprising.
• Spicy Cream Cheese Dip Peppersweet Petrella: creamy cream cheese with ground pepper. Delicious as a dip.
• Chevre Doux spreadable goat cheese: a mild, slightly sweet spreadable cheese made from goat cheese. Ideal if you want to try goat cheese for the first time. Read more in our blog about goat cheese and sheep cheese.

What to look out for with cream cheese and spreadable cheese?

Contains lactose

Fresh cheese is not aged. As a result, the lactose is not broken down, as it is with aged cheese. Cream cheese and fresh spreadable cheese therefore contain lactose. Are you looking for cheese without lactose? Then read our blog about lactose-free cheese.

Short shelf life

Fresh cheese has a shorter shelf life than aged cheese. Always store cream cheese and spreadable cheese in the refrigerator and eat an opened tub within a few days. Use a clean knife, so the cheese stays good longer. Read more tips in our blog about storing cheese.

How to serve cream cheese and spreadable cheese

• On a cracker: cream cheese is delicious on a crispy cracker, such as the Rosemary Crackers.
• As a dip: place the Petrella in a bowl with vegetables or celery sticks.
• On the snack platter: combine a sweet cream cheese, such as Machelle pineapple, with a savory cheese and nuts.
• In the kitchen: Chevre Doux is delicious on warm toast or in a salad.

Frequently asked questions about cream cheese and spreadable cheese

Is cream cheese the same as fresh cheese?

Cream cheese is a type of fresh cheese. Fresh cheese is cheese that is not aged. Cream cheese is fresh cheese with extra cream added.

Can you eat cream cheese if you are pregnant?

This depends on several factors, including the milk. Read our blog about eating cheese when you are pregnant or ask your midwife.

Can you freeze cream cheese?

You can, but the texture becomes grainy after thawing. It is therefore better to use it in hot dishes than on bread.

Is mascarpone cream cheese?

Mascarpone is an Italian fresh cheese made from cream. It is similar to cream cheese, but is fattier, softer, and less tangy in taste. It is mainly used in desserts, such as tiramisu.

Is dairy spread the same as cream cheese?

Not entirely. Dairy spread is similar to cream cheese and is used in the same way, but it cannot officially be called cream cheese, for example because it contains less fat or is formulated differently.

Conclusion: soft, creamy, and versatile

Cream cheese is fresh cheese made from milk and cream. Spreadable cheese is the collective term for all cheese that you can spread. Both are delicious on a cracker or as a dip on the snack platter. Discover all cream cheese and spreadable cheese at Kaas & Borrelz.