Description
Single Gloucester PDO Cheese
About Single Gloucester PDO
Single Gloucester is one of those wonderful British cheeses that deserves to be much better known. Made by Jonathan Crump in Gloucestershire, it has centuries of history behind it and an important connection to one of Britain’s rarest native cattle breeds.
Single Gloucester has been made on Gloucestershire farms for hundreds of years. Traditionally, it was the cheese kept back on the farm for the family to eat, while the richer Double Gloucester was made for sale. Because Single Gloucester wasn’t destined for market, there was no need to colour it with annatto and, as it was generally eaten younger, it retained a lovely creamy mellowness.
There are various explanations for where the names Single and Double came from, often linked to the richness of the milk and the way it was made. What we do know is that Single Gloucester isn’t simply a smaller or thinner version of Double Gloucester. It’s very much a cheese in its own right.
And today, it’s a rather special one.
Protected by PDO Tradition
Single Gloucester was awarded PDO status in 1996, protecting its connection to Gloucestershire and, importantly, the Gloucester cow.
Jonathan Crump has a pure-bred herd of Gloucester cattle, one of Britain’s oldest and rarest native breeds. They’re beautiful animals, with a distinctive white stripe running along their backs, over their tails and underneath their bellies.
The breed came frighteningly close to disappearing. By 1972, there was reportedly only one significant herd left, but thankfully numbers have recovered. Their rich milk is particularly well suited to cheesemaking, and cheeses like Single Gloucester have played an important part in giving farmers a reason to keep the breed.
I rather like the idea that eating cheese can help save cows.
Single Gloucester PDO – Jen’s Tasting Notes
Jonathan’s Single Gloucester is pale and creamy, with a texture that’s firm enough to slice but still beautifully mellow.
The flavour starts with sweet milk and butter before a gentle tang begins to develop. There’s a little nuttiness, sometimes a grassy note, and a subtle earthiness that becomes more noticeable as the cheese matures.
Compared with Double Gloucester, it’s lighter and fresher, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in flavour. There’s a lovely balance to it — creamy, buttery and gently savoury without ever becoming overpowering.
It’s exactly the sort of cheese I find myself cutting another little piece from every time I walk past it.
How to Serve and Pair Single Gloucester
- Make sure you take it out of the fridge a good hour before you want to eat it so it can come up to room temperature.
- Classic pairings: A good dry British cider is lovely with Single Gloucester. The crisp apple flavours work beautifully with the buttery cheese.
- Something a little different: If you’re more of a wine person, try a Pinot Noir. It’s light enough not to overwhelm the cheese and the red fruit works really nicely with its gentle nuttiness.
- On the plate: Keep it simple. Crisp apple or pear, a piece of crusty bread and perhaps a few walnuts are really all you need.
- In the kitchen: Single Gloucester makes fantastic cheese on toast. Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and a little English ale, spoon it onto sourdough and pop it under the grill. Proper comfort food.
Jen’s note: We were visiting Gloucestershire a few years ago when we turned up at Jonathan’s farm completely out of the blue! He showed us around, introduced us to his beautiful Gloucester cows and, most importantly, let us taste the cheeses. We decided there and then that we had to stock them. I loved Jonathan’s ethos and his approach to farming — even the whey left over from cheesemaking doesn’t go to waste; it goes to feed his Gloucester Old Spot pigs. Cheese, cows AND pigs. It was always going to be a good day.
Buying Single Gloucester PDO
- Brand or Producer: Jonathan Crump
- Product name: Single Gloucester PDO
- Milk: Cow
- Country: England
- Region: Gloucestershire
- Strength: Mild to medium
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Suitable for pregnancy: Yes
- Allergens: MILK
Sizes and Prices
- 100g wedge, £3.80
- 500g wedge, £19.00
- Wheel (approx. 2.5kg), available to pre-order
Storage Advice
- Keep refrigerated
- Wrap in waxed paper or cling film
- Remove from the fridge before serving
- Consume within 10 to 14 days of opening
Delivery and Collection
- UK wide courier delivery
- Click and collect from our Pangbourne shop
- Free local delivery available for selected postcodes
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, salt, starter cultures, vegetarian rennet
