Gorgonzola Cheese vs West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese
Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm and made from cow 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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is a firm cow's milk cheese made by traditional methods in Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. Its name has been protected in the EU and UK since 2007, and only milk from those four counties may be used.
What's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk treatment: Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Firm)
- Rind: Gorgonzola Cheese (None), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (cloth-wrapped)
- Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Minimum 9 months)
- Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese (Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Gorgonzola Cheese | West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Lombardy, Piedmont | Dorset, Somerset, Devon And Cornwall |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft to crumbly | Firm |
| Rind | None | Cloth-wrapped |
| Aging | 2 to 3 months | Minimum 9 months |
| Taste | Sweet to savory | Nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness |
Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness character. More specifically, Gorgonzola Cheese shows dolce: creamy, slightly spicy, delicate. piccante: blue-veined, crumbly, strong, with widespread bluish-green marbling, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese leans toward sharp and pungent, often slightly earthy, with a hazelnut note and large calcium lactate crystals when well matured. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese at minimum 9 months.
Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
In most recipes, Gorgonzola Cheese and West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect soft to crumbly bite and body where the recipe calls for firm. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese brings nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness notes.
Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar 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 firm profile, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese minimum 9 months.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is nutty, full-rounded with a hint of sharpness.
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 West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese made of?
West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged minimum 9 months.
Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while West Country Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese is firm.