Blue Cheese vs Double Gloucester Cheese
Blue Cheese
Double Gloucester Cheese
Blue Cheese is a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from France, while Double Gloucester Cheese is hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in England.
What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is any cheese made with edible mold cultures that form blue-green spots and veins through the paste. It ranges from mild and slightly sweet to salty and sharp, and from almost liquid to hard.
What Is Double Gloucester Cheese?
Double Gloucester is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese made in Gloucestershire, England, since the 16th century. It ages longer than Single Gloucester, giving it a stronger, more savoury flavour, and it is the cheese sent rolling down Cooper's Hill each spring.
What's the Difference Between Blue Cheese and Double Gloucester Cheese?
- Origin: Blue Cheese (France), Double Gloucester Cheese (England)
- Milk type: Blue Cheese (Cow, Sheep, Goat), Double Gloucester Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Blue Cheese (Pasteurized or Raw), Double Gloucester Cheese (pasteurized in supermarket versions)
- Texture: Blue Cheese (Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft), Double Gloucester Cheese (hard, artisan)
- Rind: Blue Cheese (Natural), Double Gloucester Cheese (natural)
- Taste: Blue Cheese (Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent), Double Gloucester Cheese (smooth, tangy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Cheese | Double Gloucester Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | England |
| Specific Origin | — | Gloucestershire, England |
| Milk Type | Cow, Sheep, Goat | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or Raw | Pasteurized in supermarket versions |
| Texture | Crumbly, Creamy, Semi-Soft | Hard, artisan |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | Typically aged 2-6 months | — |
| Taste | Sharp, Tangy, Savory, Salty, Pungent | Smooth, tangy |
Taste Comparison: Does Blue Cheese Taste Like Double Gloucester Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Double Gloucester Cheese brings smooth, tangy character. On the nose, Blue Cheese offers strong, pungent, earthy, funky, contrasted with Double Gloucester Cheese's buttery, rich. More specifically, Blue Cheese shows earthy, spicy, peppery, slightly sweet, umami, nutty, bitter, while Double Gloucester Cheese leans toward stronger and more savoury than single gloucester.
Can You Substitute Blue Cheese for Double Gloucester Cheese?
Blue Cheese can stand in for Double Gloucester Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect crumbly, creamy, semi-soft bite and body where the recipe calls for hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent while Double Gloucester Cheese brings smooth, tangy notes.
Which Is Better, Blue Cheese or Double Gloucester Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a crumbly, creamy, semi-soft cheese, go with Blue Cheese. For a hard, artisan profile, Double Gloucester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Blue Cheese suits recipes that want sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent notes, while Double Gloucester Cheese fits dishes calling for smooth, tangy.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cheese the same as Double Gloucester Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Blue Cheese originates in France, while Double Gloucester Cheese comes from England. Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Double Gloucester Cheese uses cow.
Is Blue Cheese similar to Double Gloucester Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Blue Cheese for Double Gloucester Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Blue Cheese taste like Double Gloucester Cheese?
Blue Cheese reads as sharp, tangy, savory, salty, pungent, while Double Gloucester Cheese is smooth, tangy. Aromas also diverge. Blue Cheese leans strong, pungent, earthy, funky, and Double Gloucester Cheese is closer to buttery, rich.
What is Blue Cheese made of?
Blue Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or raw), using traditional (animal rennet) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically aged 2-6 months. It originates in France.
What is Double Gloucester Cheese made of?
Double Gloucester Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized in supermarket versions). It originates in England.
Which should I choose, Blue Cheese or Double Gloucester Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Blue Cheese is crumbly, creamy, semi-soft, while Double Gloucester Cheese is hard, artisan.