Double Gloucester Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Double Gloucester Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from England, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Double Gloucester Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Double Gloucester Cheese (England), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk treatment: Double Gloucester Cheese (pasteurized in supermarket versions), Red Leicester Cheese (Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others))
• Texture: Double Gloucester Cheese (hard, artisan), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Double Gloucester Cheese (natural), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Taste: Double Gloucester Cheese (smooth, tangy), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Double Gloucester Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. On the nose, Double Gloucester Cheese offers buttery, rich, contrasted with Red Leicester Cheese's mild. More specifically, Double Gloucester Cheese shows stronger and more savoury than single gloucester, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste.

Can You Substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

In most recipes, Double Gloucester Cheese and Red Leicester 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 hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Double Gloucester Cheese or Red Leicester 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 hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Double Gloucester Cheese suits recipes that want smooth, tangy notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Double Gloucester Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Double Gloucester Cheese originates in England, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom.

Is Double Gloucester Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

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

Does Double Gloucester Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet. Aromas also diverge. Double Gloucester Cheese leans buttery, rich, and Red Leicester Cheese is closer to mild.

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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Double Gloucester Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Double Gloucester Cheese is hard, artisan, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.