Definition

Noun 1. A type of Italian blue cheese: Gorgonzola is a specific variety of cheese, originally from Italy, characterized by its blue-green veins of mold (Penicillium glaucum or Penicillium roqueforti). It has a distinctively sharp, tangy, and sometimes slightly spicy flavor, with a texture that can range from creamy and soft to firm and crumbly depending on its age.

Usage Examples

• As a countable noun (referring to a type or piece):
  • Would you like some gorgonzola on your salad?
  • This gorgonzola is particularly creamy and mild.
• As an uncountable noun (referring to the substance):
  • The recipe calls for 100 grams of crumbled gorgonzola.
  • The flavor of gorgonzola pairs well with pears and walnuts.

Advanced Usage

• Used attributively (as a noun modifier): The word "gorgonzola" is often used before another noun to describe a dish or product that contains or is flavored with this cheese.
  • I ordered the gorgonzola sauce with my steak.
  • They make a delicious gorgonzola and pear pizza.

Variants and Related Words

• Dolce Gorgonzola: A specific, younger, and milder version of Gorgonzola, known for its soft, spreadable texture.
• Gorgonzola Piccante: A specific, older, and stronger version of Gorgonzola, known for its firmer, crumblier texture and more pungent flavor.
• Blue cheese: The general category of cheese to which Gorgonzola belongs. (Note: Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese, but not all blue cheese is Gorgonzola.)

Synonyms

• Blue cheese (general term)
• Bleu cheese (general term, especially in American English)

Related Phrases and Idioms

(This word is a specific noun and is not commonly used in phrasal verbs or idioms. Its usage is primarily culinary.)

Noun

1. Italian blue cheese