What does cheesecake taste like?

Cheesecake tastes rich, sweet, smooth, and creamy with some tang due to the cream cheese component and a crumbly graham cracker crust. The dominant, tangy flavor comes from either cream cheese, Neufchatel or similar cheeses; sometimes ricotta is also added for texture. Depending on other ingredients added, cheesecake may have subtle notes of lemon and/or vanilla that contribute to their distinct flavors.

Here are more nuanced flavors people often describe associated with cheesecakes:

- Creamy richness - Fullness of flavor and mouthfeel from butterfat found in cream cheese. Many prefer New York style cheesecakes which use high ratios of cream cheese for this exact quality.

- Sugary & decadent - Cheesecake batter contains some sweetener such as granulated sugar but it often derives an additional layer of sweet richness from graham cracker or cookie crust used, especially if added chocolate chips.

- Tangy & lactic, a flavor profile attributed primarily to cream cheese's bacterial origins as it's similar to yogurt or sour cream; more lactic acid = stronger cheese tang

- Sweet yet mildly savory: From the subtle salty, sweet balance achieved via cream cheese

- Nutty notes with butter cookie, biscuit crusts/base

- Floral vanilla notes: When vanilla extract in cheesecake batter adds delicate floral hints

- **Citrus, especially lemon zest*: Often added and especially shines through subtle creamy cheese flavor