How Italian Gorgonzola Cheese Is Made | Regional Eats | Food Insider

Summary

Claudia takes viewers on a journey through the Gorgonzola cheese-making process in Italy's Piedmont region, one of only two regions where this cheese can be produced. She visits Caseificio Si Invernizzi, one of 29 dairies worldwide authorized to make Gorgonzola, highlighting the traditional methods and ingredients used. The video showcases the transformation from milk to cheese, the role of Penicillium roqueforti in creating the blue veins, and the aging process resulting in two distinct types: creamy and pungent. A tasting segment compares the flavors and textures, while a chef demonstrates Gorgonzola's culinary versatility in a squid ink spaghetti dish. The EU's Protected Designation of Origin Scheme ensures the cheese's quality and authenticity.

Takeaways

• 🧀 Gorgonzola cheese is made exclusively in two Italian regions: Piedmont and Lombardy.
• 📈 The Gorgonzola industry is worth over $800 million with nearly 5 million wheels produced annually.
• 🏭 Only 29 dairies in the world are authorized to produce Gorgonzola, maintaining a high level of exclusivity.
• 🍽 The production process of Gorgonzola is centuries old and still uses traditional ingredients and techniques.
• 🔁 Special machinery is designed to mimic human movements gently, ensuring the cheese's quality.
• 🍄 The blue-green marbling in Gorgonzola is due to the Penicillium roqueforti fungus used in the ripening process.
• 🥛 Gorgonzola is made from unskimmed, pasteurized cow's milk and can vary in texture and flavor based on aging time.
• 🔢 Each wheel of Gorgonzola is marked with a unique identification number from the dairy where it was produced.
• 🕒 The aging process differs for mild (3 days) and hard (5 days) Gorgonzola, followed by a cold room treatment.
• 🍝 Gorgonzola's versatility is showcased through its use in various dishes, such as squid ink spaghetti.
• 🛡️ The European Union's Protected Designation of Origin Scheme ensures that Gorgonzola meets specific quality standards.

Q & A

Where is Claudia located when she talks about Gorgonzola cheese production?

Claudia is located in Trecate in the Piedmont region of Italy.

How many regions in Italy are authorized to produce Gorgonzola cheese?

Only two Italian regions, Piedmont and Lombardy, are authorized to produce Gorgonzola cheese.

What is the annual production of Gorgonzola cheese in terms of the number of wheels?

Almost 5 million wheels of Gorgonzola cheese are produced each year.

What is the economic value of the Gorgonzola cheese industry?

The Gorgonzola industry is worth over $800 million.

What is the key ingredient that gives Gorgonzola cheese its marbled interior?

The key ingredient is Penicillium roqueforti, a fungus used to ripen the cheese.

What types of cow's milk are used to make Gorgonzola cheese?

Gorgonzola cheese is made with unskimmed, pasteurized cow's milk.

How does the aging process affect the texture and taste of Gorgonzola cheese?

The aging process determines whether the cheese is mild and creamy or hard and pungent.

How can you distinguish between the two types of Gorgonzola cheese by their color?

The creamy type has blue veins, while the pungent type has green veins.

What happens to the weight of a Gorgonzola wheel during the aging process?

The weight of a Gorgonzola wheel drops from about 18 kilos to 12 kilos during the aging process.

How does the environment in the salting rooms contribute to the cheese production?

The warm and humid environment in the salting rooms favors the activity of yeasts inside the cheese.

What is the purpose of puncturing the Gorgonzola wheels in the cold room?

Puncturing the wheels allows oxygen into the cheese to grow its signature blue veins.

How long does it take for each type of Gorgonzola cheese to age?

It takes two months for the blue creamy Gorgonzola and three months for the green pungent one.

What does the European Union's Protected Designation of Origin Scheme mean for Gorgonzola cheese?

The scheme ensures that any cheese labeled 'Gorgonzola' must meet particular standards and is subject to quality checks.