Double Gloucester Cheese vs Fontina Cheese

Double Gloucester Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from England, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Is Fontina Cheese?

Fontina is a cow's milk cheese from Italy's Aosta Valley, made there since the 12th century. It runs semisoft to hard, tastes creamy and nutty with earthy, mushroomy notes, and melts well enough to carry a fondue.

What's the Difference Between Double Gloucester Cheese and Fontina Cheese?

• Origin: Double Gloucester Cheese (England), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Double Gloucester Cheese (pasteurized in supermarket versions), Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions))
• Texture: Double Gloucester Cheese (hard, artisan), Fontina Cheese (Semi-Soft)
• Rind: Double Gloucester Cheese (natural), Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed)
• Taste: Double Gloucester Cheese (smooth, tangy), Fontina Cheese (Mild, Buttery, Nutty)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Double Gloucester Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Fontina Cheese brings mild, buttery, nutty character. On the nose, Double Gloucester Cheese offers buttery, rich, contrasted with Fontina Cheese's mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions). More specifically, Double Gloucester Cheese shows stronger and more savoury than single gloucester, while Fontina Cheese leans toward buttery, earthy, mildly nutty, slightly fruity.

Can You Substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Double Gloucester Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Double Gloucester Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Double Gloucester Cheese originates in England, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy.

Is Double Gloucester Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Fontina Cheese?

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

Does Double Gloucester Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Fontina Cheese is mild, buttery, nutty. Aromas also diverge. Double Gloucester Cheese leans buttery, rich, and Fontina Cheese is closer to mild to pungent (earthier in aged versions).

What is Double Gloucester Cheese made of?

Double Gloucester Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized in supermarket versions). It originates in England.

What is Fontina Cheese made of?

Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Double Gloucester Cheese or Fontina Cheese?

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