Camembert Cheese vs Gloucester Cheese

Camembert Cheese is a soft, artisan cow-milk cheese from France, while Gloucester Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in England.

What Is Camembert Cheese?

Camembert is a famous French cheese with a soft, creamy interior and a bloomy rind. It's made from cow's milk and has a rich, buttery flavor with earthy undertones. True Camembert from Normandy has a slightly more intense flavor compared to other varieties and becomes runnier as it ages.

What Is Gloucester Cheese?

Gloucester cheese comes in two varieties: Single and Double Gloucester. Both are made from cow's milk, with Double Gloucester being the richer and creamier of the two, made from full-fat milk. Single Gloucester is lighter, made from part-skimmed milk, and both have a smooth, buttery flavor and a firm texture.

What's the Difference Between Camembert Cheese and Gloucester Cheese?

• Origin: Camembert Cheese (France), Gloucester Cheese (England)
• Texture: Camembert Cheese (soft, artisan), Gloucester Cheese (Hard)
• Rind: Camembert Cheese (Bloomy), Gloucester Cheese (natural)
• Taste: Camembert Cheese (sweet), Gloucester Cheese (Mild)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Camembert Cheese	Gloucester Cheese
Country of Origin	France	England
Specific Origin	—	Gloucestershire
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Raw
Texture	Soft, artisan	Hard
Rind	Bloomy	Natural
Aging	—	4–6 weeks (Single Gloucester), longer for Double Gloucester
Taste	Sweet	Mild

Pairing Comparison

What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.

	Camembert Cheese	Gloucester Cheese
Best Pairings	Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy Red, Gamay, Grüner Veltliner, Hard Cider, Viognier	—
Other Good Pairings	Cabernet Franc, Cava, Champagne, Crackers, Fig Jam, Fruit Compote, Grapes, Kolsch, Merlot, Raspberry, Sparkling Rosé, White Burgundy	—

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Camembert Cheese Gloucester Cheese

Taste Comparison: Does Camembert Cheese Taste Like Gloucester Cheese?

Camembert Cheese reads as sweet, while Gloucester Cheese brings mild character.

Can You Substitute Camembert Cheese for Gloucester Cheese?

In most recipes, Camembert Cheese and Gloucester Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Camembert Cheese reads as sweet while Gloucester Cheese brings mild notes.

Which Is Better, Camembert Cheese or Gloucester Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, artisan cheese, go with Camembert Cheese. For a hard profile, Gloucester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Camembert Cheese suits recipes that want sweet notes, while Gloucester Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Camembert Cheese the same as Gloucester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Camembert Cheese originates in France, while Gloucester Cheese comes from England.

Is Camembert Cheese similar to Gloucester Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Camembert Cheese for Gloucester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Camembert Cheese taste like Gloucester Cheese?

Camembert Cheese reads as sweet, while Gloucester Cheese is mild.

What is Camembert Cheese made of?

Camembert Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in France.

What is Gloucester Cheese made of?

Gloucester Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4–6 weeks (single gloucester), longer for double gloucester. It originates in England.

Which should I choose, Camembert Cheese or Gloucester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Camembert Cheese is soft, artisan, while Gloucester Cheese is hard.

See full profiles: Camembert Cheese and Gloucester Cheese.

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