What soft and milky Italian cheese is round, white, and is made from cow’s or buffalo’s milk? Probably you’re thinking of Burrata or Mozzarella cheese as the answer! So, what makes them different from each other?
Short answer: Mozzarella is a semi-soft Italian cheese made from the milk of cow or water buffalo. On the other hand, Burrata cheese is basically Mozzarella that has a Stracciatella filling. Inside its mozzarella casing is a hollow pouch filled with soft, stringy curd and fresh cream.
In this article, we’ll dig into further details about:
- What Burrata and Mozzarella are
- Their similarities and differences
- Shelf life and storage
- Uses
- Taste and color
- Price
What Is Mozzarella?
Mozzarella comes from the Campania region of Southern Italy. It is a fresh, semi-soft Italian cheese that comes from the milk of cows or water buffalos. Traditionally, cheesemakers use Italian Mediterranean buffalo milk for Mozzarella production.
This is a highly-priced smooth, round, elastic, and white curd cheese that is famous worldwide!
Did You Know? The most common type of Mozzarella is made from cow's milk called fiordilatte. This is a cheaper Mozzarella variety compared to the Buffalo Mozzarella.
How Is Mozzarella Made?
Regardless of the type of milk, cheesemakers use the same process called pasta filata in making these. (*)
Basically, here are the steps of mozzarella production.
- First, add lactic ferments and rennet to pasteurized milk. This will split the milk into curd and whey.
- Second, extract the whey and set it aside.
- Next, cut the curds into strips, then stretch and knead in boiling water until smooth and elastic.
- Then, form into round pieces of Mozzarella.
- Lastly, cool the balls in the water.
What is Burrata?
Burrata is another fresh, semi-soft Italian cheese from the Puglia region in Italy. Its name translates to ‘buttered,’ as it is known for its indulgent flavor.
The Burrata cheese has a creamy filling which makes it undeniably richer and more flavorful than other cheeses! In fact, its creamy center is what sets it apart from Mozzarella.
Note that its appearance is similar to that of Mozzarella. Particularly, people would describe it as smooth, round, and porcelain white.
How Is Burrata Made?
Burrata’s outer appearance is literally a mozzarella casing. So, you would expect that the Burrata process is somewhat similar to that of Mozzarella.
So, what sets the Burrata and Mozzarella apart? It has a Stracciatella filling! (*)
What Is the Difference Between Burrata vs. Mozzarella?
1. Shelf Life
Both kinds of cheese have a short shelf life since have a high moisture content and they are not aged for a long period of time. In other words, it is best to consume it fresh.
To enjoy the best quality of this cheese, you must consume it immediately or within 48 hours. However, you can still eat the cheese after 5 days at most. Just make sure that you kept them properly in the storage.
2. Storage
As for storage, you can keep unopened packs of Burrata and Mozzarella in the fridge. If you have an opened pack of cheese, here are some simple steps that you should do to help extend your cheese’s shelf life:
- First, transfer this liquid to an airtight container.
- Second, cut the leftover cheese in the same container.
- Then, refrigerate.
3. Uses
Most people enjoy burrata on their own. You can sprinkle it with salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Then, spread it onto bread or crackers.
Tip: Using burrata for cooking purposes is not advisable. You will lose its trademark contrasting texture when melted. That will surely be a great waste of burrata's potential!
The two kinds of cheese are versatile and have many applications. Plus, they are a great substitute for each other! People often use Mozzarella on pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and other foods. Others enjoy the cheese with a drizzle of olive oil or even accompaniment to fruits like melon or tomato.
Note: When substituting with Mozzarella, we cannot expect the same rich and creamy texture offered by Burrata.
4. Taste
As for taste, both kinds of cheese have the following notable differences in flavor and texture:
Burrata is more indulgent than Mozzarella due to its cream interior. It has a buttery flavor that gives you a pleasant experience with every bite.
As for texture-wise, Burrata is creamier and richer than Mozarella. On the other hand, Mozzarella is milky, soft, and mild in flavor.
People describe that it has a delicate and silky taste. Additionally, Mozzarella is also popular for its elastic and stretchy texture.
5. Color
Both types of cheese usually have the same pearly or porcelain white color and they boast a smooth and glossy appearance. However, other processes made to the cheeses will give rise to varieties in color, especially in Mozzarella. Smoked Mozzarella, for example, has a distinct brown exterior.
6. Price
The price of these cheeses varies depending on the brand and source. However, don’t be surprised that burrata is more expensive than Mozzarella!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use Mozzarella instead of Burrata?
Yes. The two kinds of cheese have flavors that are very close to each other. Thus, they can be interchangeable in almost any application.
Learn more: What’s The Best Burrata Cheese Substitute? Our Ultimate Guide!
2. Should Burrata Be Served Warm?
The best way to fully enjoy the flavor and texture of burrata is to serve it at room temperature. Your safest bet is to remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.
3. Are Burrata and Ricotta Similar?
They have similar flavor profiles, but burrata and ricotta have contrasting textures.
Burrata and full-fat ricotta cheese have comparable flavors, but the former has a thicker and creamier texture. Moreover, burrata is more elastic and bouncier thanks to its mozzarella exterior! On the other hand, the ricotta cheese has a fluffy, sponge-like consistency.
Mainly, if flavor is the only consideration, ricotta can be a substitute for burrata. But texture-wise, they cannot be an alternative to each other.
3. Can I substitute Mozzarella for parmesan?
No. In terms of flavor and texture, the two kinds of cheese do not share many similarities. In fact, they are hardly good alternatives to each other!
Take note that parmesan is an aged, hard, granular cheese, while Mozzarella is fresh, soft, curd cheese. The former is dryer and has a sharper taste. Good substitutes for parmesan are similar grana cheeses like Pecorino Romano.
It’s a type of cheese that has a sharp, salty, and acidic taste. As for Mozzarella, the best alternative is still Burrata cheese.
Take Away
People often confuse Mozzarella and burrata. Just remember that both cheeses may look the same on the outside but they actually have their own distinction.
But since Burrata is considerably more expensive, people tend to enjoy it on its own to appreciate its distinct, contrasting textures.
Whereas, Mozzarella complements a wide range of food items. So, have you ever tasted Burrata and Mozarella? Which one of them do you prefer?
If you haven’t yet, we suggest that you should make time to taste these two renowned Italian cheeses!
