Brand names of Italian blue cheese are found in the supermarket, in specialty shops, and online. All blue cheese is injected with the Penicillium mold that creates that characteristic blue or green veins and the sharp, tangy flavor.
Examples of Italian Blue Cheese Brand Names
Almost all countries make their own variety of blue cheese. French blue cheese is called Roquefort, and in England the blue cheese is Stilton. In Italy, blue cheese is called Gorgonzola, although other types are available. The Lombardy and Piedmont areas in Italy are known for producing excellent Italian blue cheeses.
Some of these cheeses can only be made in certain areas of Italy. The government issues Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP in Italian), or Protected Designation of Origin (PDO in English) designations, that guarantee the cheese is high quality and made with very specific production methods. Cheeses marked with this designation are the best.
Il Giardino
This Italian blue cheese brand makes some varieties of gorgonzola that are widely available. These cheeses are made with cow's milk and have greenish-blue veins with a rich and creamy texture. You can buy this blue cheese at Kroger stores nationwide for about $10.00 a pound.
Luigi Guffanti
This brand offers a few types of gorgonzola cheese. It is made by a family who has owned the company for three generations. Their classic gorgonzola is creamy and sweet, with a mild texture. The cheese has widespread marbling, and the rind is a light red color. You can purchase it for about $11 a pound at Sensibus.
You can also buy Blu del Moncenisio, a dense and spicy Italian blue cheese made by this company for around $10 for 7.5 ounces at igourmet.com.
BelGioioso
These Italian cheeses are made in America. Their Gorgonzola cheese has a rich and strong flavor with a firm texture that crumbles easily. It is made from cow's milk. The cheese is aged for 90 days and has deep blue veins. You can buy it at ShopRite stores for about $7.
Castelmagno
This cheese is a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese made in cities in Cuneo, Piedmont. This blue cheese can have a rind with a slight blue tinge, but the cheese itself does not always have the characteristic blue veins. It is a semi-hard cheese with a crumbly texture. The taste of this cheese sharpens as it ages. You can buy this cheese at Formaggio Kitchen for about $30 a pound.
Ol Sciur
This blue cheese is made from unpasteurized goat's milk using ancient methods. The cheese is washed in brine, then rubbed with rose petals and berries. This gives the rind a red color and fruity flavor. It is lightly veined. This cheese is strong with a creamy texture. You can buy it at Sensibus for approximately $25 for 8 ounces.
Montforte
This blue cheese is made with cow's milk. The gorgonzola is aged for 90 days. It has a firm, crumbly texture and sharp flavor. The Montforte Bleu has a tangy flavor with a very creamy and smooth texture. You can buy the Monteforte Gorgonzola at Wisconsin Cheese Masters for about $16 a pound.
Blu del Monviso
Owners Anna and Mario Sarale, third generation cheese makers, make a blue cheese that is mild and creamy with a slight nutty flavor. The paste is ivory with a white rind. It is made from cow's milk and aged for 60 days. This cheese is available at Sensibus for around $14 for 8 ounces.
Gorgonzola Blue Cheese
While most people think of gorgonzola as the classic Italian blue cheese, gorgonzola is not a brand, but a genre of cheese with several types. These types have different textures and flavors that range from very mild to very strong. The texture of the cheeses range from very soft and creamy to hard and crumbly.
Gorgonzola is usually made with whole cow's milk, but it can also be made with goat's milk. Most of these milks have been pasteurized before the cheese is made. If a cheese is made with raw milk it will be mentioned on the label. The flavors of these cheeses vary depending on how long the cheese was aged. Most gorgonzola cheeses are aged for three to four months.
There are two types of gorgonzola: Dolce and Piccante. Dolce is a mild cheese while Piccante has a stronger flavor and harder texture.
Enjoy Authentic Italian Blue Cheese
These cheeses are delicious as part of a cheese board or eaten with fruit. It is also delicious melted into risotto or used in sandwiches. Experiment to find the Italian blue cheese you like best.
