The History Of Cotswold Double Gloucester Cheese

Cotswold cheese is a variation of Double Gloucester cheese, a traditional English cheese that has been made in Gloucestershire, England, since the 16th century. It is made from pasteurized cow's milk and blended with chopped onions and chives, giving it a distinctive appearance and a sweet and tangy taste. This semi-firm to firm cheese is popular in English pubs and is commonly referred to as Pub Cheese. It is also known for its smooth and creamy texture, making it ideal for melting and cooking.

Origin and history of Cotswold Double Gloucester

Cotswold cheese, also known as Double Gloucester with Chives or Double Gloucester with Onion and Chive, is a variation of the traditional English cheese, Double Gloucester. The origin of the name 'Cotswold' comes from the Cotswolds region in South Central England, primarily located in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire but extending into sections of Wiltshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, and Warwickshire. The Cotswolds region is known for its rolling hills, lush pastures, and charming stone houses.

Double Gloucester cheese has been made in Gloucestershire, England, since the 16th century. It is a traditional, semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. The cheese gets its distinctive yellow colour from the wildflower Galium verum, known colloquially as lady's bedstraw. Double Gloucester is typically allowed to age for longer than Single Gloucester, resulting in a stronger, more savoury flavour and a slightly firmer texture.

In 1966, an area of approximately 790 square miles of the Cotswolds region was designated as an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" to preserve and enhance the region's natural beauty. Around this time, a company called Long Clawson trademarked the name "Cotswold" for their version of Double Gloucester cheese with onion and chive, and introduced it to the USA. This modern rendition of an old British favourite is a smooth, cheddary cheese with a milder, less sharp, and less firm texture than a well-aged cheddar. It is aged for just three to four months and is often served melted on slices of bread.

How to serve Cotswold Double Gloucester

Cotswold cheese is a variation of Double Gloucester, blended with chopped onions and chives. This combination gives the cheese a distinctive appearance and a sweet and tangy flavour. It is a semi-firm to firm cheese with a creamy and smooth texture, and it is easy to slice and crumble.

Cotswold cheese is a popular choice for serving in a variety of ways, including:

• On a Cheese Board: The cheese's mellow and powerful flavours make it a great complement to the softer, milder flavours on a cheese board. It pairs well with a Roquefort, Montenebro, Stilton, or Cheddar. For sides, serve with a Dalmatian Fig spread, chorizo, and crackers.
• In a Ploughman's Lunch: This simple, classic British pub snack consists of a cut of hard cheese, a home-baked bread roll, pickled onions, and a pint of beer. While a ploughman's lunch is traditionally served with farmhouse Cheddar, Cotswold cheese makes a great alternative.
• With Bread: Cotswold cheese is often served melted on slices of bread, such as crusty bread or toast.
• In Sandwiches and Burgers: The cheese's meltability also makes it suitable for sandwiches and burgers.
• With Fruit: The cheese pairs well with fresh fruits, such as apples or pears.
• With Beer: As a classic pub cheese, Cotswold is often enjoyed with a pint of beer.

In addition to the above, Cotswold cheese can also be used in various dishes, such as scones, potato pierogi, or burgers, or simply enjoyed as a snack with prosciutto cotto and French onion confit.

Taste and texture of Cotswold Double Gloucester

Cotswold cheese, a variation of Double Gloucester, is a flavourful and distinctive English cheese from the Cotswold region in South Central England. It is a blend of chopped chives, spring onions, and a quality Double Gloucester cheese. This smooth, creamy, and tangy cheese is popular in English pubs, giving it the name "Pub Cheese".

Cotswold cheese is semi-firm to firm, offering a smooth and creamy texture. It is easy to slice and crumbles well. The cheese often has a pale yellow to orange hue, and the visible specks of green onions and chives throughout the cheese add a distinctive and appealing appearance. The wild flower Galium verum, known colloquially as lady's bedstraw, was originally responsible for the distinctively yellow colour of Double Gloucester cheese.

Cotswold cheese melts well, making it suitable for sandwiches and burgers. It pairs well with crusty bread, crackers, and fresh fruits. The harmonious blend of mellow cheese and powerful vegetables makes Cotswold a terrific complement to the softer, milder flavours on your cheese board.

A simple preparation called "the ploughman's lunch" is easily the most universal of British pub snacks. It consists of a cut of a hard cheese, a home-baked bread roll, pickled onions, and a pint of beer. The classic ploughman's is served with a generous slice of farmhouse Cheddar, but different pubs offer different cheeses to round out the meal.

How to store Cotswold Double Gloucester

Cotswold cheese is a variation of Double Gloucester cheese, blended with chopped onions and chives. It is a semi-firm to firm, smooth and creamy English cheese from the Cotswold region in South Central England. It is popular in English pubs, giving it the name "Pub Cheese".

To store Cotswold Double Gloucester cheese, it is recommended to use cheese paper or breathable cheese wrap to cover the cheese and stop it from drying out, while also allowing it to breathe. Since cheese is a living thing, cutting off air circulation can cause it to spoil faster. Therefore, it is important to avoid using airtight containers or plastic wrap for storage.

Cotswold Double Gloucester cheese should be refrigerated immediately upon arrival and stored at the bottom of the refrigerator, where it is colder, to maintain optimal quality. It is also recommended to store the cheese in the vegetable crisper drawer of the refrigerator, as this area tends to be more humid, which can help keep the cheese from drying out.

When storing Cotswold Double Gloucester cheese, it is important to handle it with clean hands or utensils to prevent the transfer of bacteria that can cause spoilage. Additionally, the cheese should be consumed within a few days of opening, as exposure to air can cause it to dry out and lose its flavour over time.

To extend the shelf life of Cotswold Double Gloucester cheese, it can be frozen. It is recommended to wrap the cheese tightly in aluminium foil or freezer paper, or store it in a freezer bag with the air removed. Properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but will remain safe to consume beyond that period.

How to cook with Cotswold Double Gloucester

Cotswold Double Gloucester is a creamy English cheese with a tangy flavour and a fudgy texture. It's named after the picturesque Cotswold region of England, known for its rolling hills and lush landscapes. This cheese is a bright, egg yolk-yellow colour, with speckles of chives and onion throughout, giving it a unique green speckling.

Cotswold Double Gloucester is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some tips and recipes to cook with this delicious cheese:

Melting

Cotswold Double Gloucester is a great melting cheese, making it perfect for topping dishes such as burgers, eggs, and potato pierogi. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour will add a delicious twist to these classic dishes.

Snacking

This cheese is also a classic pub cheese, perfect for snacking. Enjoy it with a pint of your favourite beer, or pair it with Prosciutto Cotto and French onion confit for a simple yet elegant flavour combination.

Baking

You can also bake with Cotswold Double Gloucester. Try adding it to scones or biscuits for a savoury twist, or use it to make crunchy cheese balls or pastries.

Storage

When storing Cotswold Double Gloucester, it's important to keep the cheese covered to prevent it from drying out. Use cheese paper or wrap it in wax paper, and then store it in the refrigerator. This will help maintain its fudgy texture and bright colour.

Recipes

• Cotswold Cheddar and Chive Biscuits: Bake some easy and cheesy homemade biscuits, featuring the tangy flavour of the cheese and the crisp texture of chives.
• Crunchy Chive Cheese Ball: Create a bright, creamy, and spicy appetizer, perfect for entertaining or as a snack.
• Melty Burger Topping: Take your burger game to the next level by melting this cheese on top of a burger patty, adding a creamy texture and a punch of flavour.
• Savoury Scone Addition: Bake a batch of savoury scones, with the cheese baked inside or melted on top, for a delicious breakfast or tea-time treat.

With its unique flavour and texture, Cotswold Double Gloucester is a versatile cheese that can enhance many dishes. Whether melted, snacked on, or baked with, this cheese will add a tangy and creamy element to your cooking.

Frequently asked questions