Berkswell Cheese vs Ossau-Iraty Cheese
Berkswell Cheese
Ossau-Iraty Cheese
Berkswell Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed and made from sheep milk, originating in France.
Buy Berkswell Cheese
Buy Ossau-Iraty Cheese
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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
Ossau-Iraty is a sheep's milk cheese from the Northern Basque Country and Béarn in south-western France. Uncooked and pressed, it is smooth, creamy and firm, and has held appellation d'origine contrôlée status since 1980.
What's the Difference Between Berkswell Cheese and Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
- Origin: Berkswell Cheese (United Kingdom), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (France)
- Milk treatment: Berkswell Cheese (unpasteurized), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Berkswell Cheese (hard), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed)
- Rind: Berkswell Cheese (natural), Ossau-Iraty Cheese (Natural, smooth, orange to gray)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Berkswell Cheese | Ossau-Iraty Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | France |
| Specific Origin | Berkswell, West Midlands, England | Béarn And Basque Country (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), And Three Communes In Hautes Pyrénées |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | Homogeneous, uncooked, pressed |
| Rind | Natural | Natural, smooth, orange to gray |
| Aging | — | Minimum 80-120 days |
| Taste | — | Fruity, herbaceous, nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Berkswell Cheese Taste Like Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Berkswell Cheese offers sweet, contrasted with Ossau-Iraty Cheese's rich.
Can You Substitute Berkswell Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
In most recipes, Berkswell Cheese and Ossau-Iraty Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are sheep-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for homogeneous, uncooked, pressed.
Which Is Better, Berkswell Cheese or Ossau-Iraty 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 homogeneous, uncooked, pressed profile, Ossau-Iraty 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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Berkswell Cheese originates in United Kingdom, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese comes from France.
Is Berkswell Cheese similar to Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a sheep-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Berkswell Cheese for Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Berkswell Cheese taste like Ossau-Iraty 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 Ossau-Iraty Cheese made of?
Ossau-Iraty Cheese is made from sheep milk (raw). It's typically aged minimum 80-120 days. It originates in France.
Which should I choose, Berkswell Cheese or Ossau-Iraty Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Berkswell Cheese is hard, while Ossau-Iraty Cheese is homogeneous, uncooked, pressed.