As one of the world’s oldest blue-veined cheeses, Gorgonzola cheese is widely produced in regions in North Italy, particularly Lombardy and Piedmont. Its soft and crumbly texture, paired with a deliciously nutty aroma, makes it a popular favorite worldwide.
Let us get right into it and get to you all the information you need about Gorgonzola cheese!
Overview and History of Gorgonzola Cheese
Resembling archaic porcelain, Gorgonzola cheese delivers when it comes to decadence and flavor. When young, it is soft and creamy, with nimble strokes of butter and slowly approaching a slightly acidic finish. Mature versions are stronger, piquant, and deliver a pungent bite to finish.
Often referred to simply as blue cheese, Gorgonzola has a rich history of production.
On pastures spread across the regions of Lombardy and Piedmont, cows feed on natural forage, delivering unrestricted, full-bodied milk to the creameries.
Is Gorgonzola Cheese Gluten-Free?
Yes! Gorgonzola cheese is naturally gluten-free, making it completely safe and recommended for consumption by people with celiac and other such gluten-related disorders.
Plain, full-fat cheeses without flavorings or additional ingredients are usually gluten-free. Processed cheeses labeled as low-salt, low-fat, or fat-free may have gluten. If cheese contains any add-in, such as wheat starch or modified food starch, it is likely to have gluten.
It is always advised to check the label and be on the safe side!
What are the Calories in Gorgonzola Cheese?
Gorgonzola cheese contains approximately 370 calories for every 100 gm portion.
This cheese is actually highly dense in nutritional value. Its superior vitamin, fat, protein, and mineral content make it pretty much a superfood. Additionally, it is rich in calcium, which supports good bone health; it helps with vitamin absorption and also promotes good heart health.
However, as with everything else, it is always good to consume in moderation!
Can You Freeze Gorgonzola Cheese?
Provided that you store the gorgonzola cheese carefully and properly, you can indeed keep it in freezer storage for up to 6 months or even longer.
6 months is the period that it will retain its best possible quality. However, if Gorgonzola cheese is kept consistently frozen at zero degrees with the correct packaging and everything, it will be safe in the freezer indefinitely.
Here is a helpful and thorough video guide to show you the basics of freezing cheese –
How Long Does Gorgonzola Cheese Last?
When properly stored in the refrigerator with appropriate packing and packaging using good quality materials, gorgonzola cheese should last for a good 3 to 4 weeks.
Always be sure to check labels for ‘best by’ or ‘use by,’ for specific instructions. For example, crumbled gorgonzola cheese, once opened, usually lasts no more than a week or so. Also, how you store your cheese has a lot to do with how long it will last and in what condition.
How to Store Gorgonzola Cheese?
You must keep Gorgonzola cheese in the refrigerator at all times. To take full advantage of its shelf life, it is recommended that you wrap the package that it came in tightly in wax or parchment paper and again with plastic wrap before storing.
You could also use aluminum foil, as long as you make the packaging airtight.
For freezing purposes, use heavy-duty airtight resealable freezer bags of good quality, or airtight freezer-friendly containers with tight lids are also recommended.
Can Pets Eat Gorgonzola Cheese?
Unfortunately, Gorgonzola cheese is among those cheeses that are absolutely not recommended to give to your pets.
Blue cheeses, including Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton, can produce something called roquefortine, which is a toxin potentially lethal to dogs. It can cause lethargy, excessive panting, and even tachycardia, the rapid beating of the heart, if eaten in excessive amounts.
Best to stay safe and find better treats for your canine buddies!
Best Substitutes for Gorgonzola Cheese
If you are looking for a substitute for gorgonzola cheese with a pretty similar flavor, your best choices are Roquefort, Bleu d’Auvergne, Stilton cheese, Danish blue, and Fourme d’Ambert. Most blue cheeses offer similar flavor palettes, but each with unique properties.
Roquefort cheese, for example, is creamier and has a harder consistency than gorgonzola. Here, check out this cheese in this helpful guide:
Best Wine Pairing with Gorgonzola Cheese
Creamy gorgonzola cheese pairs beautifully with soft, savory red and/or white wines. Among white wines, Riesling, Pinot Bianco, Orvieto Classico, Frascati Sup., dry Malvasia, and Gavi are excellent matches; among rosé wines: Chiaretto del Garda and Lagrein Kretzer are good.
Here, feel free to refer to this excellent guide so you can be better prepared when pairing delicious cheeses with the most exquisite wines:
Best Recipes to Prepare with Gorgonzola Cheese
Gorgonzola cheese is excellent for several different recipes, including pasta, casseroles, enchiladas, cheesecake, prosciutto, pizza, and so on.
Spicy Gorgonzola cheese is also particularly delectable when had with fresh fruit (figs, pears, apples, kiwis, strawberries) or dry fruit, but mainly with jams and marmalades, mixed fruit or chestnut or fig mustards, and vegetable sauces (red onion sauce).
Check out this helpful recipe guide for how to prepare delicious baked pasta with gorgonzola cheese. Impress your loved ones by making them this delicacy too!
FAQ
If you notice signs of spoilage on your Gorgonzola cheese, specifically: fuzzy white, green, pink, or grey spots growing on its surface, it is likely that it has gone bad, and I recommend discarding immediately. Also, cheese that develops a strong odor similar to ammonia may be spoiled.
Yes! The white and blue marbling of the exquisite Gorgonzola cheese stands gracefully on a cheeseboard, pairing wonderfully with grapes, honey and pistachios.
Before consumption, it is recommended that you keep Gorgonzola cheese at room temperature for at least 30 minutes so that its organoleptic characteristics are enhanced and its maximum tastiness and savory flavor is reached.
Summing Up
Hope this article gave you the information you needed about Gorgonzola cheese!
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