Cabrales Cheese vs Gorgonzola Cheese

Cabrales Cheese is a semi-soft, blue-veined cow-milk cheese from Spain, while Gorgonzola Cheese is semi-soft, crumbly, blue-veined and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Cabrales Cheese?

Cabrales is a blue cheese made by rural dairy farmers in the Asturias mountains of Spain, from raw cow's milk alone or blended with goat and sheep milk. It is known for its strong, sometimes sharply acidic flavor and for ripening in limestone caves.

What Is Gorgonzola Cheese?

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk, named for a town near Milan. It comes in two styles: dolce, mild and buttery, and piccante, sharper with a firm, crumbly body.

What's the Difference Between Cabrales Cheese and Gorgonzola Cheese?

• Origin: Cabrales Cheese (Spain), Gorgonzola Cheese (Italy)
• Milk treatment: Cabrales Cheese (unpasteurized), Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Cabrales Cheese (Semi-soft, blue-veined), Gorgonzola Cheese (Semi-soft, crumbly, blue-veined)
• Rind: Cabrales Cheese (Natural), Gorgonzola Cheese (None)
• Taste: Cabrales Cheese (Intense, piquant), Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Cabrales Cheese Taste Like Gorgonzola Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gorgonzola Cheese brings sweet to savory character. On the nose, Cabrales Cheese offers strong, contrasted with Gorgonzola Cheese's nutty. More specifically, Cabrales Cheese shows hints of hazelnuts, dark cocoa, sharp, metallic finish; intensely acid curd, while Gorgonzola Cheese leans toward dolce: creamy, slightly spicy, delicate. piccante: blue-veined, crumbly, strong, with widespread bluish-green marbling.

Can You Substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gorgonzola Cheese?

In most recipes, Cabrales Cheese and Gorgonzola Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-soft, blue-veined bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft, crumbly, blue-veined. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant while Gorgonzola Cheese brings sweet to savory notes.

Which Is Better, Cabrales Cheese or Gorgonzola Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-soft, blue-veined cheese, go with Cabrales Cheese. For a semi-soft, crumbly, blue-veined profile, Gorgonzola Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Cabrales Cheese suits recipes that want intense, piquant notes, while Gorgonzola Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cabrales Cheese the same as Gorgonzola Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Cabrales Cheese originates in Spain, while Gorgonzola Cheese comes from Italy.

Is Cabrales Cheese similar to Gorgonzola Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Cabrales Cheese for Gorgonzola Cheese?

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

Does Cabrales Cheese taste like Gorgonzola Cheese?

Cabrales Cheese reads as intense, piquant, while Gorgonzola Cheese is sweet to savory. Aromas also diverge. Cabrales Cheese leans strong, and Gorgonzola Cheese is closer to nutty.

What is Cabrales Cheese made of?

Cabrales Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using kid rennet. It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Spain.

What is Gorgonzola Cheese made of?

Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 2 to 3 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Cabrales Cheese or Gorgonzola Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Cabrales Cheese is semi-soft, blue-veined, while Gorgonzola Cheese is semi-soft, crumbly, blue-veined.