Gorgonzola Cheese vs Pasta Filata Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous and made from cow or buffalo milk.
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 Pasta Filata Cheese?
Pasta filata is the Italian spun-curd technique behind mozzarella, provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza. Fresh curd is kneaded in hot water until it turns soft, elastic and stringy, which gives the finished cheese its fibrous structure.
What's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Pasta Filata Cheese?
- Milk type: Gorgonzola Cheese (cow's milk), Pasta Filata Cheese (cow, water buffalo)
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Pasta Filata Cheese (soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous)
- Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Pasta Filata Cheese (fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Pasta Filata Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow, water buffalo |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous |
| Rind | None | — |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | Fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Pasta Filata Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Pasta Filata Cheese at fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Pasta Filata Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese can stand in for Pasta Filata 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 soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or Pasta Filata 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 soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous profile, Pasta Filata Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Pasta Filata Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk; Pasta Filata Cheese uses cow or buffalo. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Pasta Filata Cheese fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Pasta Filata Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Pasta Filata Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Pasta Filata Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Pasta Filata Cheese made of?
Pasta Filata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk. It's typically aged fresh for mozzarella, aged for provolone, caciocavallo and scamorza.
Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or Pasta Filata Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Pasta Filata Cheese is soft, elastic and stringy, fibrous.