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Gorgonzola Cheese vs Swiss Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese
Swiss Cheese
In this article, we'll explore the answers to the most common questions about Gorgonzola Cheese and Swiss Cheese, including:
- "What is the difference between Gorgonzola Cheese and Swiss Cheese?"
- "Is Gorgonzola Cheese and Swiss Cheese the same?"
- "How does Gorgonzola Cheese compare to Swiss Cheese cheese?"
- "How does the taste of Gorgonzola Cheese compare to Swiss Cheese?"
- "Is Gorgonzola Cheese or Swiss 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.
Swiss Cheese Overview
Swiss cheese in the United States refers to a group of cheeses that resemble the Emmental cheese from Switzerland, known for their medium-hard texture and distinctive holes or "eyes." American Swiss cheese is mild, nutty, and sweet, with a smooth, creamy texture, making it popular for sandwiches and burgers.
Comparing the Two Cheeses
Country of Origin
Gorgonzola Cheese comes from Italy. Swiss Cheese originated from United States.
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). Swiss is not a protected cheese.
Milk Type and Treatment
Gorgonzola Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized. Swiss Cheese is made with cow milk that is typically pasteurized.
Composition and Texture
Gorgonzola Cheese has a fat content of 25-35%. Gorgonzola's texture can be described as "soft to crumbly". Swiss Cheese has a fat content of ~28-32% and a moisture content of none. Swiss's texture can be described as "semi-firm".
Taste and Aroma
Gorgonzola Cheese has a sweet to savory taste. Gorgonzola's aroma can be described as "nutty". Swiss Cheese has a mild, nutty, slightly sweet taste. Swiss's aroma can be described as "mild, slightly nutty".
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 . Swiss Cheese has a color of pale yellow , comes in block, sliced, shredded and has an aging period of typically 1-3 months .
Rind and Rennet Type
Gorgonzola Cheese's rind is described as none . Swiss Cheese's rind is described as none , with microbial or vegetarian rennet.
Ranking
Gorgonzola is ranked #20 out of 996 types based on community views. Swiss is ranked #78 out of 996 types based on community views.
Pairing Comparison
| Gorgonzola | Swiss | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | Asti Spumante, Dried Fruit, Steak | Chardonnay, Dijon Mustard, Ham, Pastrami, Tuna, Turkey |
| Other Good Pairings | Bresaola | Cabernet Franc, Chicken, Clam Chowder, Gamay, IPA, Kolsch, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Roast Beef, Salami, Sauvignon Blanc, Steak |
For more details, check the full pairing guides on the Gorgonzola and Swiss pages.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Gorgonzola Cheese | Swiss Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | United States |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Not Specified |
| Certification | PDO (1996) | Not Specified |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Fat Content | 25-35% | ~28-32% |
| Moisture Content | Not Specified | ~37-41% |
| Rind | None | None |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Semi-Firm |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | Mild, Nutty, Slightly Sweet |
| Aroma | Nutty | Mild, Slightly Nutty |
| Colors | Straw-white, blue-green veins | Pale Yellow |
| Forms | 13 to 26 pounds | Block, Sliced, Shredded |
| Age | 2 to 3 months | Typically 1-3 months |
| Rennet Type | Not Specified | Microbial or Vegetarian |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prefer a soft to crumbly cheese, go for Gorgonzola. But if you enjoy a semi-firm consistency, Swiss might be the better pick. Gorgonzola has a sweet to savory taste, making it great for various dishes. Meanwhile, Swiss offers a mild, nutty, slightly sweet profile, ideal for different meals.
