Gorgonzola Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Gorgonzola Cheese

Red Leicester Cheese

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

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

Red Leicester Cheese Overview

Red Leicester is a traditional English cheese made from cow's milk, similar to cheddar but with a more moist, crumblier texture and a milder flavor. It's notable for its vibrant orange color, achieved by adding annatto to the milk. Aged Red Leicester develops a slightly nutty taste, making it a favorite for cheese platters and grating over dishes.

Comparing the Two Cheeses

Country of Origin

Gorgonzola Cheese comes from Italy. Red Leicester Cheese originated from United Kingdom.

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). Red Leicester is not a protected cheese.

Milk Type and Treatment

Gorgonzola Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Red Leicester Cheese is made with cow 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". Red Leicester Cheese has a fat content of high and a moisture content of none. Red Leicester's texture can be described as "hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly".

Taste and Aroma

Gorgonzola Cheese has a sweet to savory taste. Gorgonzola's aroma can be described as "nutty". Red Leicester Cheese has a caramel, sweet taste. Red Leicester's aroma can be described as "mild".

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 . Red Leicester Cheese has a color of reddish-orange , comes in traditional cylindrical, industrial block and has an aging period of 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial .

Rind and Rennet Type

Gorgonzola Cheese's rind is described as none . Red Leicester Cheese's rind is described as clothbound (sparkenhoe farm), plastic (industrial) , with animal rennet.

Ranking

Gorgonzola is ranked #18 out of 996 types based on community views. Red Leicester is ranked #69 out of 996 types based on community views.

Pairing Comparison

Gorgonzola Red Leicester
Best Pairings Asti Spumante, Dried Fruit, Steak No pairings listed.
Other Good Pairings Bresaola No additional pairings listed.

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

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Gorgonzola Cheese Red Leicester Cheese
Country of Origin Italy United Kingdom
Specific Origin Lombardy, Piedmont Leicestershire
Certification PDO (1996) Not Specified
Milk Type Cow's milk Cow's milk
Milk Treatment Pasteurized Unpasteurized (Sparkenhoe Farm), Pasteurized (others)
Fat Content 25-35% High
Moisture Content Not Specified Medium
Rind None Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial)
Texture Soft to crumbly Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly
Taste Sweet to savory Caramel, sweet
Aroma Nutty Mild
Colors Straw-white, blue-green veins Reddish-orange
Forms 13 to 26 pounds Traditional cylindrical, industrial block
Age 2 to 3 months 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial
Rennet Type Not Specified Animal

Which One Should You Choose?

If you prefer a soft to crumbly cheese, go for Gorgonzola. But if you enjoy a hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly consistency, Red Leicester might be the better pick. Gorgonzola has a sweet to savory taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Red Leicester offers a caramel, sweet profile, ideal for different meals.

Compare Gorgonzola Cheese to Other Cheeses

Compare Red Leicester Cheese to Other Cheeses

Did you find what you are looking for?