Whats the difference between neufchetel cheese and cream cheese?

Question

I know neufchetel is always advertised as being lower in fat then cream cheese...and I know they are definately similar but why the different name?

Answer 1

Neufchatel comes from France, and is a specific type of cream cheese (one of the oldest French cheeses), with a lower fat content, as you said.

Be careful though!!! In the US, the name 'Neufchatel' is used for any kind of lower fat cream cheese, even though they aren't the true Neufchatel cheese of France.

American-style cream cheese was invented by a guy trying to duplicate the Neufchatel cheese from France.

Answer 2

"This soft unripened rennet cheese is originally from the town of Neufchâtel in the region of Normandy, but is made extensively throughout France. It is reported in the Encyclopedia Britannica to be the same as Bondon, Malakoff, Petit Carre, and Petit Suisse, depending on the shape into which it is molded (square, rectangular, cylindrical and the special heart-shape variety called Coeur de Bray.) It is easy to make, and may be used like cream cheese. A version common in the United States is so-called "Farmer's Cheese." "

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/Fankhauser/Cheese/neufchatel/neufchatel.htm

Answer 3

As you said, neufchatel is slightly lower in fat, but honestly, I can't tell the difference in cooking. I'll use nuefchatel in any recipe calling for cream cheese, including cheesecakes. I won't use fat free cream chess for baking, but I'll use neufchatel any time.

Answer 4

neufchetel is lower fat.

One of the GOOD things our government does comes from the FDA.

In order to call something "Cream Cheese" it must contain certain amounts of FAT, made from the correct type of milk, aged the correct amount, etc.

Same goes for various cuts of meat, peanut butter, chocolate, and pretty much all non-processed foods.

The name actually means something, and you have to always KNOW what you are getting... so the government regulates what they are allowed to call things.

Chocolate MUST contain certain amounts of cocoa butter. American Cheese must always be American Cheese, and contain the proper ingrediants in the proper proportions. Spring Water must really come from a natural, free-flowing spring. Mountain water must really come from the mountains.

The list goes on and on... and this is one of the government regulations I really love, because we dont have to worry about companies skimping on ingredients to save money, while still calling it something it isn't.

Answer 5

I don't know the official difference but neutchetel tastes like crap. I used it as a sub for cream cheese in a butterfinger pie recipe and it was just wrong!

Answer 6

cream cheese is better =]

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neufchâtel_(cheese)

Answer 8

the price

Answer 9

ihnc

Answer 10

no clue....