Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese that gets its name from the Gorgonzola region of Northern Italy. Gorgonzola’s look is known for its streaky veins of blue mold of Penicillium. This blue cheese has an ash-gray rind with a semi-firm texture surrounding a creamier and slightly crumbling texture inside. Many would describe Gorgonzola as tasting of salty overly mature funky cold butter. Is this unique cheese gluten-free?
Gorgonzola cheese is naturally gluten-free. It is free of artificial fillers and gluten. However, the ingredients label should be checked to make sure that non gluten yeasts and rennet were used in the process. The best gluten-free alternatives to gorgonzola cheese include Alouette Goat Cheese Crumbled Cheese, MontChevre Crumbled Goat Cheese, and Athenos Traditional Feta.
In this article, we will discuss the nutritional value of Gorgonzola blue cheese, as well as certified gluten free alternatives and healthier cheese options. Let’s dig in!
Contents
How is Gorgonzola Cheese Made?
Gorgonzola is made by pasteurizing whole unskimmed milk. Rennet and sometimes yeast are then added to the vats of milk to coagulate or congeal the cheese into curds. The cheese curd paste is portioned, salt brined, and molded. Steel rods puncture the rind of the resting cheese rounds to induce a better blue mold content. When the cheese has been aged for 50 days it can be eaten and is then considered to be Gorgonzola officially.
Gorgonzola vs Blue Cheese
Gorgonzola denotes that the unskimmed milk cow’s cheese is from the place called Gorgonzola, and is processed as discussed above. The official definition of a blue cheese means that it has green to blue veins running throughout the cheese curds. There are over 50 types of blue cheese. And many regions, especially in Europe, have their own version of blue cheese. Below is a list of some of the most popular blue cheese varieties and country origin.
- Gorgonzola (Italy)
- Danish Blue/Danablu (Denmark)
- Cabrales (Spain)
- Stilton (English)
- Roquefort (France)
- Agur (France)
- Point Reyes Blue Cheese (USA)
- Castello (USA)
- Bleu d’Auvergne (France)
Traditionally the ingredients for blue cheese are:
- Milk
- Cheese culture
- Salt
- Pénicillium roqueforti
- Animal rennet
Gorgonzola Cheese Nutritional Information
Alouette Cheese Crumbles, Gorgonzola
Gorgonzola Crumbled Cheese by Alouette is aged for a full 90 days to get a more robust flavor. This Gorgonzola crumbled cheese is gluten free. This smelly but delightful cheese adds depth and richness to any dish.
The list of ingredients for Gorgonzola Crumbled Cheese are:
- Pasteurized milk
- Salt
- Cheese cultures
- Cellulose (to prevent clumping)
- Enzymes
- Natamycin (to protect freshness)
Nutrition Facts (per 30 grams or 1 ounce):
- Calories 110
- Fat 9g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 6g
- Sodium 380mg
BelGioioso Crumbly Gorgonzola
Nutritionally BelGioioso Crumbly Gorgonzola is made from simple and pure ingredients. This Gorgonzola cheese has zero carbs or sugar making it an excellent keto diet addition. Aged in caves for 3 months, this cheese has a very earthy aroma. BelGioioso Crumbly Gorgonzola has won several awards for best cheese between 2011 and 2018. BelGioioso Crumbly Gorgonzola cheese is gluten free.
The ingredients for BelGioioso Crumbly Gorgonzola are:
- Cultured Pasteurized Milk
- Enzymes
- Salt
- Mold
Nutrition Facts (per 1 ounce):
- Calories 110
- Fat 8g
- Carbs 0g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 6g
- Sodium 280mg
Athenos Cheese Crumbles Gorgonzola
Athenos Cheese Crumbles Gorgonzola is gluten free. Also, keto friendly this blue cheese is low in carbs and high in fat. Athenos Cheese Crumbles Gorgonzola is free of additives, oils, and sweeteners.
The ingredients in Athenos Cheese Crumbles Gorgonzola are:
- Pasteurized Milk
- Cheese Culture
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Penicillium Roqueforti
- Cellulose Powder (anti-caking)
Nutrition Facts (per 28 grams or ¼ cup):
- Calories 100
- Fat 8g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 6g
- Sodium 380g
Blue Cheese Nutritional Information
Alouette Blue Cheese Crumbled Cheese
Another Alouette Blue Cheese is their Blue Cheese Crumbled Cheese. Funny way to write that name out, but there it is. Aloutette characterizes these cheese crumbles as an everyday blue with bold flavor. With slightly less salt content and more protein per serving than Alouette’s Gorgonzola, this is better health choice right from the get go. This blue cheese is also gluten free.
Here is the list of ingredients for Alouette Blue Cheese Crumbled Cheese:
- Pasteurized milk
- Salt
- Cheese cultures
- Cellulose (to prevent clumping)
- Enzymes
- Natamycin (to protect freshness)
Nutrition Facts (per 30 grams or 1 ounce):
- Calories 110
- Fat 9g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 7g
- Sodium 320mg
Stella Reduced Fat Blue Cheese
But, you say, what about a low-fat cheese option for blue? This Reduced Fat Blue Cheese by Stella is made without the full fat milk usually in blue cheeses. However, reducing the milk fat also reduces the calcium by more than half. This cheese is however able to maintain a good source of protein per serving. Stella Reduced Fat Blue Cheese ensures a big and bold blue flavor regardless of the fat reduction.
The ingredients in Stella Reduced Fat Blue Cheese are:
- Pasteurized Part Skim Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Powdered Cellulose to prevent caking
- Natamycin
Nutrition Facts (per 28 grams):
- Calories 80
- Fat 5g
- Carbs 0g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 7g
- Sodium 380mg
MontChevre, Chevre in Blue
This cheese was first developed in 1988 by the MontChevre company in Wisconsin, USA. Known for its blue-gray veins of mold and no rind. This blue cheese is aged for 3 months to maturity. This goat-based blue cheese has a lighter tanginess than traditional blue cheese. MontChevre, Chevre in Blue was awarded “Best Goat Milk Blue” at the American Cheese Society. MontChevre, Chevre in Blue is a gluten free cheese.
The ingredients for MontChevre, Chevre in Blue are:
- Pasteurized Goat Milk
- Salt
- Cheese Cultures
- Microbial Rennet
Nutrition Facts (per 28 grams):
- Calories 87
- Fat 7g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 5g
- Sodium 95mg
Gorgonzola and Blue Cheese Alternatives
Alouette Goat Cheese Crumbled Cheese
An even healthier option if staying within the Alouette cheese family, is the Goat Cheese Crumbled Cheese. If you are looking for a little kick from your cheese while also adding a creamy texture, then a goat cheese may be a good blue cheese alternative for you. The Alouette Goat Cheese has half of the sodium than the blue or gorgonzola varieties by Aloutette.
Here is the list of ingredients for Alouette Goat Cheese Crumbled Cheese:
- Cultured pasteurized goat milk
- Cellulose (to prevent clumping)
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Sorbic acid
- Natamycin (to protect freshness)
Nutrition Facts (per 30 grams or 1 ounce):
- Calories 90
- Fat 7g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 6g
- Sodium 140mg
Athenos Traditional Feta Cheese Crumbles
Feta cheese is tangy and creamy and makes a good substitute for blue cheese or Gorgonzola. Athenos Traditional feta cheese crumbles are lower in calories than its blue cheese counterparts, partially due to the use of skim milk in the recipe.
Here is the list of ingredients for Athenos Traditional Feta Cheese Crumbles:
- Pasteurized Part Skim Milk
- Cheese Culture
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Powdered Cellulose
- Natamycin
Nutrition Facts (per 28 grams):
- Calories 70
- Fat 6g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 5g
- Sodium 330mg
Athenos Traditional Reduced Fat Feta Cheese Crumbles
Taking one step further into the land of Feta cheese, this reduced fat variety tastes the same with half the fat. Athenos Traditional Reduced Fat feta cheese crumbles is a creamy and zippy alternative to blue cheese Gorgonzola.
The ingredients for Athenos Traditional Reduced Fat Feta Cheese Crumbles are:
- Pasteurized Part Skim Milk
- Cheese Culture
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Vitamin A Palmitate (animal retinoid)
- Powdered Cellulose
- Natamycin
Nutrition Facts (per 28 grams):
- Calories 50
- Fat 3g
- Carbs 1g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 5g
- Sodium 340mg
MontChevre Crumbled Goat Cheese
This Crumbled Goat Cheese by MontChevre is made with premium quality goat’s cheese. There are so many wonderful flavors of crumbled goat cheese by MontChevre such as: original, onion & basil, candied cranberry, apricot & sage, pomegranate orange zest, and sun-dried tomato basil. This Original Crumbled Goat Cheese is a fresh and creamy cheese that serves as a healthy alternative to full fat blue cheese.
The ingredients for MontChevre Crumbled Goat Cheese, Original are:
- Pasteurized Goat Milk
- Cheese Culture
- Salt
- Rennet
- Powdered Cellulose
- Natamycin
Nutrition Facts (per 1 ounce):
- Calories 80
- Fat 5g
- Carbs 4g
- Sugars 0g
- Protein 3g
- Sodium 105mg
Final Thoughts
By reading this article we wanted to reassure you that Gorgonzola Blue Cheese is gluten free. Naturally cheeses should be made without any gluten. The process of making blue cheese and the ingredients added are animal based and should be pure. We would avoid cheeses with chemical additives, even if they seem okay. The best cheeses have simple and natural ingredients.
Healthy-wise when looking for a tangy and creamy cheese to add to your salad, roasted vegetables, or chicken there are lower fat and lower sodium options than Gorgonzola. From our list of cheeses detailed out top pick is the Chevre in Blue by MontChevre. Chevre in Blue has the lowest sodium content, no additives or preservatives, moderate in fat, and low in calories. Chevre in Blue is also creamy and zippy which is what you want in a good blue cheese.
Related Questions
Is Gorgonzola Pasteurized?
As we discussed in the first paragraph of this post, the milk used in the making of blue cheese is pasteurized.
Is Boursin Cheese Gluten Free?
Boursin cheese is made from cultured milk, cream, salt, and garlic. The ingredients are all free of gluten. There is the chance of cross-contamination at the packing site however. More about this topic in our article here.
Is Laughing Cow Cheese Gluten Free?
Yes, all of the flavors of creamy Laughing Cow cheese are gluten-free. None of their listed ingredients are gluten derived. Learn more about gluten free spreadable cheeses here.