Move over, Parmesan. There is another Italian cheese that should be on your table. Deliciously creamy, sharp and with just a hint of sweetness, Italy's gorgonzola dolce DOP holds claim to being the country's finest cheese.
Produced by Arrigoni Battista, located in the northern Italian region of Lombardia, the gorgonzola dolce DOP was crowned best Italian cheese during the 2016 World Cheese Awards held in San Sebastian. It was the third consecutive year that the cheese earned the Super Gold award.
Gorgonzola Cheese: A Bit of History
The production of this creamy blue cheese dates back to 879 AD. Originally, it was an autumn cheese produced from the milk of cows that grazed on mountain pastures.
As with many foods we enjoy, it was produced by accident. Here's the legend behind it:
And now that you know the history of gorgonzola, are you ready to choose between Italian and English cheese?
How To Eat Gorgonzola Cheese
Gorgonzola's creaminess can be appreciated when the cheese is slathered on bread or crackers.
However, there are many ways to enjoy gorgozola: on top of a burger, stirred into risotto or pasta and even on steak. You can try these fun recipes, as well:
Stuffed Avocados
Prepare a simple yet elegant appetizer by stuffing halved avocados with creamy gorgonzola cheese and walnuts.
Gorgonzola Lasagna
What's the best way to kick up a vegetarian lasagna? Add gorgonzola cheese to the mix.
Make this eggplant gorgonzola lasagna.
Fennel and Radicchio Salad
Whip up a colorful radicchio salad with thinly sliced fennel, walnuts and gorgonzola. A honey dressing completes the ensemble.