Gorgonzola Cheese vs Parmesan Cheese

Gorgonzola Cheese is a soft to crumbly cow-milk cheese from Italy, while Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.

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 Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan, or Parmigiano Reggiano, is a hard granular cow's milk cheese from northern Italy, aged at least 12 months. It is known for its sharp, salty, savory taste, which comes from an unusually high level of glutamate.

What's the Difference Between Gorgonzola Cheese and Parmesan Cheese?

• Milk treatment: Gorgonzola Cheese (pasteurized), Parmesan Cheese (unpasteurized)
• Texture: Gorgonzola Cheese (Soft to crumbly), Parmesan Cheese (hard, artisan)
• Rind: Gorgonzola Cheese (None), Parmesan Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Gorgonzola Cheese (2 to 3 months), Parmesan Cheese (minimum 12 months, average 2 years)
• Taste: Gorgonzola Cheese (Sweet to savory), Parmesan Cheese (salty, savory)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gorgonzola Cheese Taste Like Parmesan Cheese?

Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory character. On the nose, Gorgonzola Cheese offers nutty, contrasted with Parmesan Cheese's nutty, strong. More specifically, Gorgonzola Cheese shows dolce: creamy, slightly spicy, delicate. piccante: blue-veined, crumbly, strong, with widespread bluish-green marbling, while Parmesan Cheese leans toward sharp, salty, savory, strong umami. Aging plays into this as well. Gorgonzola Cheese at 2 to 3 months develops a different profile than Parmesan Cheese at minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Can You Substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

In most recipes, Gorgonzola Cheese and Parmesan 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 hard, artisan. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory while Parmesan Cheese brings salty, savory notes.

Which Is Better, Gorgonzola Cheese or Parmesan 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, artisan profile, Parmesan Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gorgonzola Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to savory notes, while Parmesan Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, savory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gorgonzola Cheese the same as Parmesan Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Aging also differs: Gorgonzola Cheese is typically aged 2 to 3 months, Parmesan Cheese minimum 12 months, average 2 years.

Is Gorgonzola Cheese similar to Parmesan Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Gorgonzola Cheese for Parmesan Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Gorgonzola Cheese taste like Parmesan Cheese?

Gorgonzola Cheese reads as sweet to savory, while Parmesan Cheese is salty, savory. Aromas also diverge. Gorgonzola Cheese leans nutty, and Parmesan Cheese is closer to nutty, strong.

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 Parmesan Cheese made of?

Parmesan Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal (calf rennet) rennet. It's typically aged minimum 12 months, average 2 years. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Gorgonzola Cheese or Parmesan Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gorgonzola Cheese is soft to crumbly, while Parmesan Cheese is hard, artisan.