Culture & Lifestyle • Food

Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from cow’s milk.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from cow’s milk. It is traditionally associated with northern Italy and is protected by Protected Designation of Origin rules, which limit where it can be produced and how the name may be used. Gorgonzola is commonly sold in Canada as an imported specialty cheese and is familiar in Canadian restaurants, grocery stores, and home cooking.

Origins

Gorgonzola is widely described as an ancient cheese from northern Italy, with references placing its early history in the 9th century. Sources differ on whether it originated in the town of Gorgonzola near Milan or in other dairy centres such as Pasturo in Valsassina.

Production and protection

Modern Gorgonzola is a Protected Designation of Origin product. That status restricts use of the name to cheese made in specific northern Italian provinces, mainly in Lombardy and Piedmont.

Styles and characteristics

Gorgonzola is a cow’s-milk blue cheese with green-blue veining, typically sold as either dolce or piccante. Dolce is usually softer and milder, while piccante is firmer and more pungent.

Use in cuisine

Gorgonzola is used as a table cheese and in cooking, where its creamy, tangy flavour suits sauces, pasta, risotto, and salads. It is one of the best-known blue cheeses in Italian and international cuisine.

Key facts

Gorgonzola is a blue-veined Italian cheese made from unskimmed cow’s milk.
It is believed to have been created in the 9th century, with written mentions dating to 879 CE.
The cheese is associated with the town of Gorgonzola near Milan, though its exact origin story is disputed.
Gorgonzola has PDO status, meaning the name is legally protected and production is limited to designated areas in northern Italy.
It is commonly produced in two styles: dolce, which is milder, and piccante, which is sharper.

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Canadian context

Gorgonzola is commonly sold in Canada as an imported specialty cheese and is familiar in Canadian restaurants, grocery stores, and home cooking.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gorgonzola?

Gorgonzola is an Italian blue cheese made from cow’s milk and protected as a PDO product.

Where did Gorgonzola come from?

It is traditionally linked to northern Italy, especially the town of Gorgonzola near Milan, but the exact origin is disputed.

What are the two main types of Gorgonzola?

The two main types are dolce, which is milder and creamier, and piccante, which is firmer and more pungent.

What does PDO mean for Gorgonzola?

PDO means only cheese made in the designated Italian production area under the approved rules can legally use the Gorgonzola name.

Is Gorgonzola made from cow’s milk?

Yes. Gorgonzola is made from cow’s milk, usually unskimmed milk.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorgonzola
Supports: Definition, cow’s-milk blue cheese, 9th-century origin, PDO status
Gorgonzola Consortium — https://en.gorgonzola.com/the-origins-of-gorgonzola-cheese/
Supports: Traditional origin stories, name association with the town of Gorgonzola
Cheese Talks — https://cheesetalks.com/gorgonzola-101/
Supports: First written mention, dolce and piccante styles, protection history
National Geographic — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/paid-content-gorgonzola-on-the-trail-of-italian-cheese
Supports: Ancient origin, production regions, town-name association
Wisconsin Cheese — https://www.wisconsincheese.com/the-cheese-life/article/128/gorgonzola
Supports: Gorgonzola as a specific cow’s-milk blue cheese category
Bob Lipinski — https://boblipinski.com/gorgonzola-italys-classic-blue-cheese/
Supports: PDO status, production regions, styles and texture