Double Gloucester Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese

Double Gloucester Cheese is a hard, artisan cow-milk cheese from England, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow milk.

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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.

What's the Difference Between Double Gloucester Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Double Gloucester Cheese (pasteurized in supermarket versions), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (raw)
• Texture: Double Gloucester Cheese (hard, artisan), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
• Rind: Double Gloucester Cheese (natural), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
• Taste: Double Gloucester Cheese (smooth, tangy), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Double Gloucester Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Double Gloucester Cheese shows stronger and more savoury than single gloucester, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured.

Can You Substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

In most recipes, Double Gloucester Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm. Flavor-wise, Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.

Which Is Better, Double Gloucester Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Double Gloucester Cheese suits recipes that want smooth, tangy notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Double Gloucester Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses.

Is Double Gloucester Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Double Gloucester Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

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

Does Double Gloucester Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

Double Gloucester Cheese reads as smooth, tangy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.

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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?

West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.

Which should I choose, Double Gloucester Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Double Gloucester Cheese is hard, artisan, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.