Gorgonzola Cheese vs Graviera Kritis Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese
Graviera Kritis Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Graviera Kritis Cheese is hard and made from goat or sheep milk, originating in Greece.
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 Is Graviera Kritis Cheese?
Graviera Kritis is the Cretan version of graviera, a hard Greek sheep's milk cheese with protected designation of origin status. It ripens for at least five months and tastes slightly sweet, with a burnt caramel note.
What's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Graviera Kritis Cheese?
- Origin: Gorgonzola Cheese (Italy), Graviera Kritis Cheese (Greece)
- Milk type: Gorgonzola Cheese (cow's milk), Graviera Kritis Cheese (Sheep's milk, Goat's milk (up to 20%))
- Milk treatment: Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized), Graviera Kritis Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Graviera Kritis Cheese (Hard)
- Rind: Gorgonzola Cheese (None), Graviera Kritis Cheese (Natural rind)
- Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Graviera Kritis Cheese (At least 3 months)
- Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Graviera Kritis Cheese (Nutty, Sweet)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Graviera Kritis Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Island Of Crete |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Sheep's milk, Goat's milk (up to 20%) |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Hard |
| Rind | None | Natural rind |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | At least 3 months |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | Nutty, Sweet |
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Graviera Kritis Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Graviera Kritis Cheese brings nutty, sweet character. More specifically, Gorgonzola Cheese shows dolce: creamy, slightly spicy, delicate. piccante: blue-veined, crumbly, strong, with widespread bluish-green marbling, while Graviera Kritis Cheese leans toward mellow, nutty, slightly sweet when young, sharpens and becomes slightly peppery as it ages. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Graviera Kritis Cheese at at least 3 months.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Graviera Kritis Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese can stand in for Graviera Kritis Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for hard. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory while Graviera Kritis Cheese brings nutty, sweet notes.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or Graviera Kritis Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft to crumbly cheese, go with Gorgonzola Cheese. For a hard profile, Graviera Kritis Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while Graviera Kritis Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, sweet.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Graviera Kritis Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gorgonzola Cheese originates in Italy, while Graviera Kritis Cheese comes from Greece. Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk; Graviera Kritis Cheese uses goat or sheep. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Graviera Kritis Cheese at least 3 months.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Graviera Kritis Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Graviera Kritis Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Graviera Kritis Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Graviera Kritis Cheese is nutty, sweet.
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.
What is Graviera Kritis Cheese made of?
Graviera Kritis Cheese is made from goat or sheep milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged at least 3 months. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or Graviera Kritis Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Graviera Kritis Cheese is hard.