Cotswold Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese
Cotswold Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from England and United Kingdom, while Parmesan Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Cotswold Cheese
Buy Parmesan Cheese
What Is Cotswold Cheese?
Cotswold is Double Gloucester blended with chives and spring onions, made in Gloucestershire, England. The name is a modern marketing name, not a traditional English one, and the cheese is coloured to resemble Cotswold stone.
What Is Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.
What's the Difference Between Cotswold Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?
- Origin: Cotswold Cheese (England and United Kingdom), Parmesan Cheese (Italy)
- Milk treatment: Cotswold Cheese (pasteurized), Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Cotswold Cheese (Semi-hard), Parmesan Cheese (Hard)
- Taste: Cotswold Cheese (sweet, tangy), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Cotswold Cheese | Parmesan Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England And United Kingdom | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Gloucestershire County | Parma And Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Hard |
| Rind | Natural | Natural |
| Aging | — | Minimum 12 months, average 2 years |
| Taste | Sweet, tangy | Salty, savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Cotswold Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?
Cotswold Cheese reads as sweet, tangy, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. More specifically, Cotswold Cheese shows chives, spring onions, while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami.
Can You Substitute Cotswold Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?
In most recipes, Cotswold Cheese and Parmesan Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Cotswold Cheese reads as sweet, tangy while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.
Which Is Better, Cotswold Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Cotswold Cheese. For a hard profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cotswold Cheese suits recipes that want sweet, tangy notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cotswold Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Cotswold Cheese originates in England and United Kingdom, while Parmesan Cheese comes from Italy.
Is Cotswold Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Cotswold Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Cotswold Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?
Cotswold Cheese reads as sweet, tangy, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory.
What is Cotswold Cheese made of?
Cotswold Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in England and United Kingdom.
What is Parmesan Cheese made of?
Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Cotswold Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cotswold Cheese is semi-hard, while Parmesan Cheese is hard.