Gorgonzola Cheese vs Iberico Cheese

In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Gorgonzola Cheese and Iberico Cheese, including:

  • "What is the difference between Gorgonzola Cheese and Iberico Cheese?"
  • "Is Gorgonzola Cheese and Iberico Cheese the same?"
  • "How does Gorgonzola Cheese compare to Iberico Cheese cheese?"
  • "How does the taste of Gorgonzola Cheese compare to Iberico Cheese?"
  • "Is Gorgonzola Cheese or Iberico Cheese better?"

Gorgonzola Cheese Overview

Gorgonzola is one of the world's oldest blue-veined cheeses, produced in Northern Italy. It's rich and creamy with a sharp, piquant flavor that varies depending on its age. Gorgonzola can be spicy (Piccante) or sweet (Dolce), with the latter being softer and less aged.

Iberico Cheese Overview

Queso Iberico is a hard cheese from Spain made using a blend of cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk. It can be crafted from either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, contributing to its rich and aromatic profile. This cheese has a buttery and nutty flavor with a strong taste that captures the essence of its mixed milk origins. The cheese is typically white in color and features a natural rind. Known also as Iberico Cheese, it offers a satisfying density and a complex taste that pairs well with a variety of foods. Its rich aroma and firm texture make it a popular choice for cheese lovers seeking a traditional Spanish flavor.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Gorgonzola Cheese comes from Italy. Iberico Cheese originated from Spain.

Certification

Many cheeses have some kind of protected status that makes it so they can only be produced in a certain manner and location. Gorgonzola Cheese has a PDO (1996). Iberico is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Gorgonzola Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Iberico Cheese is made with cow, goat, and sheep milk that is typically pasteurized or unpasteurized.

Composition and Texture

Gorgonzola Cheese has a fat content of 25-35%. Gorgonzola's texture can be described as "soft to crumbly". Iberico's texture can be described as "hard".

Taste and Aroma

Gorgonzola Cheese has a sweet to savory taste. Gorgonzola's aroma can be described as "nutty". Iberico Cheese has a buttery, nutty, strong taste. Iberico's aroma can be described as "aromatic, rich".

Appearance and Aging

Gorgonzola Cheese's appearance is colored straw-white, blue-green veins , is available in 13 to 26 pounds and is aged 2 to 3 months . Iberico Cheese has a color of white .

Rind and Rennet Type

Gorgonzola Cheese's rind is described as none . Iberico Cheese's rind is described as natural .

Ranking

Gorgonzola is ranked #20 out of 996 types based on community views. Iberico is ranked #89 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Gorgonzola Iberico
Best Pairings Asti Spumante, Dried Fruit, Steak Vinho Verde
Other Good Pairings Bresaola No additional pairings listed.

For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Gorgonzola and Iberico pages.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Gorgonzola Cheese Iberico Cheese
Country of Origin Italy Spain
Specific Origin Lombardy, Piedmont Not Specified
Certification PDO (1996) Not Specified
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's, goat's and sheep's milk
Milk Treatment Pasteurized Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Fat Content 25-35% Not Specified
Rind None Natural
Texture Soft to crumbly Hard
Taste Sweet to savory Buttery, nutty, strong
Aroma Nutty Aromatic, rich
Colors Straw-white, blue-green veins White
Forms 13 to 26 pounds Not Specified
Age 2 to 3 months Not Specified

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a soft to crumbly cheese, go for Gorgonzola. But if you enjoy a hard consistency, Iberico might be the better pick. Gorgonzola has a sweet to savory taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Iberico offers a buttery, nutty, strong profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Gorgonzola Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Iberico Cheese to Other Cheeses

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