Double Gloucester Cheese vs Swaledale Cheese

Double Gloucester Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from England, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in England.

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 Swaledale Cheese?

Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.

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

• Milk type: Double Gloucester Cheese (cow's milk), Swaledale Cheese (cow, sheep, goat)
• Milk treatment: Double Gloucester Cheese (pasteurized in supermarket versions), Swaledale Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Double Gloucester Cheese (hard, artisan), Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm)
• Rind: Double Gloucester Cheese (natural), Swaledale Cheese (grey-blue mould or natural wax)

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Double Gloucester Cheese shows stronger and more savoury than single gloucester, while Swaledale Cheese leans toward fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk.

Can You Substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese can stand in for Swaledale Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard, artisan bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, medium firm.

Which Is Better, Double Gloucester Cheese or Swaledale 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 moist, medium firm profile, Swaledale Cheese is the better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Double Gloucester Cheese the same as Swaledale Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Double Gloucester Cheese is made from cow milk; Swaledale Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep.

Is Double Gloucester Cheese similar to Swaledale Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Swaledale Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Double Gloucester Cheese taste like Swaledale Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

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 Swaledale Cheese made of?

Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Double Gloucester Cheese is hard, artisan, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm.