Berkswell Cheese vs Caerphilly Cheese
Berkswell Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Caerphilly Cheese is tri-layered: brie-like to dense core and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom and Wales.
What Is Berkswell Cheese?
Berkswell is a hard sheep's milk cheese made at Ram Hall Farm near Berkswell in the West Midlands, England. Draining in plastic colanders gives it an unusual shape, and its mature pecorino character won Supreme Champion at the 2017 Artisan Cheese Awards.
What Is Caerphilly Cheese?
Caerphilly is a white, crumbly cow's milk cheese from the area around the town of Caerphilly in Wales, first made on farms to feed local coal miners. It has a mild taste with a tang of lemon and ripens in as little as two weeks.
What's the Difference Between Berkswell Cheese and Caerphilly Cheese?
- Origin: Berkswell Cheese (United Kingdom), Caerphilly Cheese (United Kingdom and Wales)
- Milk type: Berkswell Cheese (sheep's milk), Caerphilly Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Berkswell Cheese (hard), Caerphilly Cheese (Tri-layered: Brie-like to dense core)
- Rind: Berkswell Cheese (natural), Caerphilly Cheese (Mottled gray-white)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Berkswell Cheese | Caerphilly Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | United Kingdom And Wales |
| Specific Origin | Berkswell, West Midlands, England | 8 Miles North Of Cardiff |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Hard | Tri-layered: Brie-like to dense core |
| Rind | Natural | Mottled gray-white |
| Aging | — | From 2 weeks |
| Taste | — | Earthy, barnyard, lemony |
Taste Comparison: Does Berkswell Cheese Taste Like Caerphilly Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Berkswell Cheese offers sweet, contrasted with Caerphilly Cheese's fresh.
Can You Substitute Berkswell Cheese for Caerphilly Cheese?
Berkswell Cheese can stand in for Caerphilly Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for tri-layered: brie-like to dense core.
Which Is Better, Berkswell Cheese or Caerphilly Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Berkswell Cheese. For a tri-layered: brie-like to dense core profile, Caerphilly Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkswell Cheese the same as Caerphilly Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Berkswell Cheese originates in United Kingdom, while Caerphilly Cheese comes from United Kingdom and Wales. Berkswell Cheese is made from sheep milk; Caerphilly Cheese uses cow.
Is Berkswell Cheese similar to Caerphilly Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Berkswell Cheese for Caerphilly Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Berkswell Cheese taste like Caerphilly Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Berkswell Cheese made of?
Berkswell Cheese is made from sheep milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in United Kingdom.
What is Caerphilly Cheese made of?
Caerphilly Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged from 2 weeks. It originates in United Kingdom and Wales.
Which should I choose, Berkswell Cheese or Caerphilly Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Berkswell Cheese is hard, while Caerphilly Cheese is tri-layered: brie-like to dense core.