Farmer's Cheese vs Gorgonzola Cheese
Farmer's Cheese is a soft cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese, while Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Farmer's Cheese?
Farmer's cheese is pressed curds, an unripened cheese made by adding rennet and a bacterial starter to milk. It comes from cow, sheep or goat milk, and the style ranges from pressed cottage cheese to a firm wheel close to Monterey Jack.
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 Farmer's Cheese and Gorgonzola Cheese?
- Milk type: Farmer's Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk), Gorgonzola Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Farmer's Cheese (soft), Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly)
- Rind: Farmer's Cheese (natural), Gorgonzola Cheese (None)
- Aging: Farmer's Cheese (unripened), Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months)
- Taste: Farmer's Cheese (creamy), Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Farmer's Cheese | Gorgonzola Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | — | Italy |
| Specific Origin | — | Lombardy, Piedmont |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | — | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft | Soft to crumbly |
| Rind | Natural | None |
| Aging | Unripened | 2 to 3 months |
| Taste | Creamy | Sweet to savory |
Taste Comparison: Does Farmer's Cheese Taste Like Gorgonzola Cheese?
Farmer's Cheese reads as creamy, while Gorgonzola Cheese brings sweet to savory character. Aging plays into this as well. Farmer's Cheese at unripened develops a different profile than Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months.
Can You Substitute Farmer's Cheese for Gorgonzola Cheese?
Farmer's Cheese can stand in for Gorgonzola Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft bite and body where the recipe calls for soft to crumbly. Flavor-wise, Farmer's Cheese reads as creamy while Gorgonzola Cheese brings sweet to savory notes.
Which Is Better, Farmer's Cheese or Gorgonzola Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft cheese, go with Farmer's Cheese. For a soft to crumbly profile, Gorgonzola Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Farmer's Cheese suits recipes that want creamy notes, while Gorgonzola Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet to savory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farmer's Cheese the same as Gorgonzola Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Farmer's Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Gorgonzola Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Farmer's Cheese is typically aged unripened, Gorgonzola Cheese 2 to 3 months.
Is Farmer's Cheese similar to Gorgonzola Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Farmer's Cheese for Gorgonzola Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Farmer's Cheese taste like Gorgonzola Cheese?
Farmer's Cheese reads as creamy, while Gorgonzola Cheese is sweet to savory.
What is Farmer's Cheese made of?
Farmer's Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, using animal rennet. It's typically aged unripened.
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, Farmer's Cheese or Gorgonzola Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Farmer's Cheese is soft, while Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly.