Burrata Vs Mozzarella: Major Differences

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Choosing the right cheese for your dishes can have a significant impact on how they turn out, whether it’s for pasta, pizza, or any other meal. It can be tough to choose between burrata and mozzarella cheese, but knowing the differences between these two kinds of cheese is vital for Italian food lovers.

At first, Mozzarella and burrata seem to be the same cheese as they are almost similar in terms of texture, shape, color, size, and packaging. However, they are basically two different types of cheese.

Mozzarella cheese has a more delicate taste and a more elastic texture than burrata cheese, while burrata is softer, more flavorful, and higher in calories due to the cream.

Before we continue, we need to understand what mozzarella and burrata cheese are and how they came about!

What is Mozzarella Cheese?

Mozzarella, which is sleek outside but soft underneath, is unquestionably Italy’s most famous cheese. It has a thousand years of heritage in Campania and is celebrated worldwide – and so is burrata.

Fresh Mozzarella is a dairy product made from plucked curd or pasta filata that emerged in Southern Italy.

It can be crafted with either cow’s milk (mozzarella di bufala), which would be more widespread and simpler, or water buffalo’s milk (mozzarella di bufala), which is more costly and difficult to find.

Fresh Mozzarella has a mild, creamy taste and a supple mouthfeel. It’s a semi-soft, new cheese. Unlike many other types of cheese, it is not aged and is consumed immediately after just being created.

Fresh mozzarella cheese is broadly available in stores and is simple to make at home.

What is Burrata Cheese?

Burrata translates roughly to “buttered,” which hints at its rich flavor. It’s fresh Mozzarella and cream cheese from Italy.

Burrata cheese may look quite similar to a fresh ball of Mozzarella at first glimpse; however, what sets itself apart is what’s inside.

Burrata Is Made with Mozzarella, But It Isn’t Mozzarella

The most critical point to remember about burrata is that, while it is manufactured from Mozzarella, it is not mozzarella cheese. Burrata is a distinct, one-of-a-kind cheese.

Burrata is composed of a challenging external curd made from local Mozzarella that is founded into a vacuous compartment and then packed with a gentle, threadlike curd and whipped cream.

Burrata Cheese is traditionally served at ambient temperature, and because it is new, it is generally consumed within 48 hours of purchase. After that, it is regarded as vintage (even though it is still actually delicious).

The true magic tends to happen when the burrata is cut open, allowing the creamy insides to spill out. It goes well with crusty bread and makes a tasty salad dressing.

Difference Between Burrata Vs Mozzarella Cheese

Now, let’s quickly learn more about the significant differences between burrata and mozzarella cheese.

1. Two Types of Cheeses

Both kinds of cheese are made from fresh cow’s milk through the pasta filata (strained curd) technique.

Whereas Mozzarella, also identified as fior di latte, has been manufactured in Campania ever since the 12th century, burrata was developed in 1956 in Andria, Puglia, by Lorenzo Bianchino.

2. Preparation Method

Mozzarella is made by combining lactic ferments and casein with pasteurized cow’s milk. The curd is cut, and the whey is extracted in the following steps.

At this juncture, the curd is cut into slices and autonomously or pneumatically squeezed in simmering water to make it “twist” or “expand,” converting it into mozzarella pieces. The pieces are then cooled in water for the final stage.

Burrata is also made from strained mozzarella curd, but it isn’t the critical part of the milk product; rather, it exists to serve as an enclosure. Inside is a soft and creamy filling made of stracciatella, frayed pasta filata, and cream.

3. Flavor

Burrata’s creamy center produces a rich and detailed, more mouthwatering cheese than Mozzarella, but the surface is the primary difference between the two kinds of cheese.

Mozzarella lacks the gooey ‘core’ of burrata. When it comes to cooking with burrata, it’s best when it is used to complete a dish.

Mozzarella can be served similarly or used in culinary applications where goopy, runny, and fresh cheese shine. Asking you to choose between the two kinds of cheese is like choosing a favorite child. But you should go with burrata if you want anything more decadent.

4. Production

There are two types of mozzarellas: fior di latte, crafted from cow’s milk, and mozzarella di bufala, or buffalo mozzarella, made from the dairy of the Italian Mediterranean buffalo.

 Buffalo mozzarella is yummier, fluffier, and more flavorful than cow’s milk mozzarella, which isn’t unreasonable given that buffalo milk has nearly twice the fat.

Some buffalo mozzarella has a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) designation, which means it must have been manufactured in precise regions of Italy using a time-honored formula.

While most Mozzarella sold anywhere in the world is made from cow’s milk, many people believe Mozzarella made from buffalo milk is a quality option worth the hunt.

Burrata is primarily stracciatella, which is extended, ripped open into thin strands, and drenched in cream before being enveloped by a component of fresh Mozzarella and secured or tied together to form a ball.

According to The Washington Post, “Stracciatella means ‘rag,’ from the Italian word’strattore’ (to stretch), and describes both the act of making the cheese and its appearance.” The majority of stracciatella sold outside Italy is made with cow’s milk.

How to Store and Serve Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

Because fresh Mozzarella has a high-water content, it’s better served right away, although this can be preserved in brine and cooled for up to a week.

New Mozzarella is an adaptable cheese when it comes to preparing. It’s a staple on pizza and tasty addition to a variety of pasta dishes, sandwiches, salads, and other main dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is burrata better for you than Mozzarella?

While Mozzarella has a sharper taste and a much stretchier crispness, burrata is gentler and fuller of flavor and greater in calories due to the moisturizer.

Is burrata calorie-dense?

Even though it is a high-calorie cuisine, given that 100 grams of the commodity can also have 350 kcal (based on the cream used), burrata should be eaten in moderation and included in one’s diet.

Is it safe to eat burrata?

Burrata, as with most milk products, is high in calcium. One ounce meets 15% of your daily requirements. An ounce of burrata also offers 4% of your daily vitamin A requirements.

Conclusion

It’s very easy to mistake burrata for mozzarella cheese, but despite their similar appearances, these Italian cheeses are not interchangeable.

Burrata vs Mozzarella appear to be simple and gentle cow’s milk cheeses from the outside. But burrata hides a vast collection of rich, creamy stracciatella cheese.

This important, cream-filled distinction emanates from the cheese-making procedure.

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