Double Gloucester Cheese vs Fontina Cheese
Double Gloucester Cheese
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 traditional British cheese made from cow's milk. It is known for its firm texture and rich, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness. The cheese has a smooth, buttery consistency and a bright orange color, due to the addition of annatto. Double Gloucester is typically aged for about four to six months and is often used in the British dish, Welsh rarebit, or enjoyed on its own.
What Is Fontina Cheese?
Fontina is a classic Italian cheese from the Aosta Valley, with a dense, smooth texture and a nutty, earthy flavor. It is made from cow's milk and has a slightly elastic feel. Fontina is excellent for melting and is often used in dishes like risotto, fonduta, and as a table cheese.
What's the Difference Between Double Gloucester Cheese and Fontina Cheese?
- Origin: Double Gloucester Cheese (England), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
- 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
| Double Gloucester Cheese | Fontina Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | England | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) |
| Texture | Hard, artisan | Semi-Soft |
| Rind | Natural | Natural, Often Washed |
| Aging | — | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) |
| Taste | Smooth, tangy | Mild, Buttery, Nutty |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Double Gloucester Cheese | Fontina Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Chardonnay |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Grilled Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Sangiovese |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Double Gloucester Cheese and Fontina Cheese
Double Gloucester Cheese
Fontina Cheese
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).
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. 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.
See full profiles: Double Gloucester Cheese and Fontina Cheese.