Gorgonzola Cheese vs Roumy Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Roumy Cheese is hard and made from cow and buffalo milk, originating in Egypt.
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 Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Roumy Cheese?
- Origin: Gorgonzola Cheese (Italy), Roumy Cheese (Egypt)
- Milk type: Gorgonzola Cheese (cow's milk), Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk)
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Roumy Cheese (hard)
- Rind: Gorgonzola Cheese (None), Roumy Cheese (natural)
- Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months)
- Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Roumy Cheese (salty, sharp, strong)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Roumy Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Egypt |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Egypt |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's and water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Hard |
| Rind | None | Natural |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | 3 to 4 months |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | Salty, sharp, strong |
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Roumy Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong character. On the nose, Gorgonzola Cheese offers nutty, contrasted with Roumy Cheese's pungent. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese can stand in for Roumy 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 Roumy Cheese brings salty, sharp, strong notes.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or Roumy 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, Roumy Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while Roumy Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, sharp, strong.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Roumy Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Gorgonzola Cheese originates in Italy, while Roumy Cheese comes from Egypt. Gorgonzola Cheese is made from cow milk; Roumy Cheese uses cow and buffalo. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Roumy Cheese 3 to 4 months.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Roumy Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Roumy Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Roumy Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Roumy Cheese is salty, sharp, strong. Aromas also diverge. Gorgonzola Cheese leans nutty, and Roumy Cheese is closer to pungent.
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 Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or Roumy Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Roumy Cheese is hard.