Double Gloucester Cheese vs Taleggio Cheese

Q: Is Double Gloucester Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

No. Double Gloucester Cheese and Taleggio Cheese are distinct cheeses from England and Italy respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Double Gloucester Cheese for Taleggio Cheese, though the result will shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Q: Which should I choose, Double Gloucester Cheese or Taleggio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Double Gloucester Cheese

Taleggio Cheese

Double Gloucester Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from England, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center 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 Taleggio Cheese?

Taleggio is a semisoft Italian cheese with a washed, smear-ripened rind and a strong smell. The taste is milder than the aroma suggests, creamy and pale yellow inside, with an unusual fruity tang.

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

Origin: Double Gloucester Cheese (England), Taleggio Cheese (Italy)
Milk treatment: Double Gloucester Cheese (pasteurized in supermarket versions), Taleggio Cheese (Heated to 90–95°F)
Texture: Double Gloucester Cheese (hard, artisan), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center)
Rind: Double Gloucester Cheese (natural), Taleggio Cheese (Soft, thin, pinkish-red)
Taste: Double Gloucester Cheese (smooth, tangy), Taleggio Cheese (Sweet, delicate, slightly sour)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Double Gloucester Cheese	Taleggio Cheese
Country of Origin	England	Italy
Specific Origin	Gloucestershire, England	Val Taleggio, Po Valley
Milk Type	Cow's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized in supermarket versions	Heated to 90–95°F
Texture	Hard, artisan	Soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center
Rind	Natural	Soft, thin, pinkish-red
Aging	—	At least 35 (up to 50) days
Taste	Smooth, tangy	Sweet, delicate, slightly sour

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

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour character. On the nose, Double Gloucester Cheese offers buttery, rich, contrasted with Taleggio Cheese's herbaceous, aromatic. More specifically, Double Gloucester Cheese shows stronger and more savoury than single gloucester, while Taleggio Cheese leans toward herbaceous, aromatic, intensifies and becomes more complex over time.

Can You Substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

In most recipes, Double Gloucester Cheese and Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center. Flavor-wise, Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy while Taleggio Cheese brings sweet, delicate, slightly sour notes.

Which Is Better, Double Gloucester Cheese or Taleggio 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 soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center profile, Taleggio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Double Gloucester Cheese suits recipes that want smooth, tangy notes, while Taleggio Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, delicate, slightly sour.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Double Gloucester Cheese the same as Taleggio Cheese?

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

Is Double Gloucester Cheese similar to Taleggio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for Taleggio Cheese?

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

Does Double Gloucester Cheese taste like Taleggio Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while Taleggio Cheese is sweet, delicate, slightly sour. Aromas also diverge. Double Gloucester Cheese leans buttery, rich, and Taleggio Cheese is closer to herbaceous, aromatic.

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 Taleggio Cheese made of?

Taleggio Cheese is made from cow milk (heated to 90–95°f), using calf rennet. It's typically aged at least 35 (up to 50) days. It originates in Italy.

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

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Double Gloucester Cheese is hard, artisan, while Taleggio Cheese is soft, slightly melting under the rind, firmer towards the center.