Berkswell Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese
Berkswell Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from United Kingdom, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.
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 Red Leicester Cheese?
Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Berkswell Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?
- Milk type: Berkswell Cheese (sheep's milk), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Berkswell Cheese (unpasteurized), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
- Texture: Berkswell Cheese (hard), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
- Rind: Berkswell Cheese (natural), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Berkswell Cheese | Red Leicester Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Specific Origin | Berkswell, West Midlands, England | Leicestershire |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Unpasteurized | Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others) |
| Texture | Hard | Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly |
| Rind | Natural | Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial) |
| Aging | — | 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial |
| Taste | — | Caramel, sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Berkswell Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. On the nose, Berkswell Cheese offers sweet, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild.
Can You Substitute Berkswell Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
Berkswell Cheese can stand in for Red Leicester 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 hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.
Which Is Better, Berkswell Cheese or Red Leicester 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 hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berkswell Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Berkswell Cheese is made from sheep milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow.
Is Berkswell Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Berkswell Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Berkswell Cheese taste like Red Leicester 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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?
Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.
Which should I choose, Berkswell Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Berkswell Cheese is hard, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.