What’s the difference between mozzarella and burrata?

Now I love both mozzarella and burrata, but I started to wonder; what exactly is the difference between mozzarella and burrata? Other than the fact that they are both Italian cheeses (but are made in different parts of the world too).

Mozzarella

To explain the difference between mozzarella and burrata, let me first explain what mozzarella is. Mozzarella is a collective term for two types of cheese. Italian mozzarella di bufalo is made from the milk of the water buffalo. This cheese is porcelain white. Regular mozzarella is made from cow’s milk and is slightly yellowish in colour. This is because cow’s milk contains more carotene. Buffalo mozzarella is a real delicacy and a little more expensive than cow’s milk mozzarella.

How is it made?

Mozzarella is a fresh cheese, which means it is not aged. Rennet is added to the milk, causing it to split into a liquid and a solid part. The curd and the whey. The curd is heated, creating a kind of rope-like and elastic structure. The curd is then kneaded into the desired shape. This is called pasta filata. I found this video on YouTube that clearly shows how it is made.

Normal or buffalo mozzarella?

Because there are more cows than buffaloes, more regular mozzarella is made. But buffalo mozzarella is much tastier. This is because the buffalo has a different diet to the cow. As a result, the taste is much fuller and slightly more acidic, with more character and a softer texture. Cow’s milk gives a slightly harder texture and tastes more neutral. Both are very tasty. Because they melt well, they are often used on pizzas.

Burrata

Mozzarella and burrata look similar and are both Italian fresh cheeses. Burrata is made partly from mozzarella, to which cream and ricotta cheese are added. Burrata is made by wrapping the mozzarella in a kind of bag and adding cream. In the past, burrata was made to use up leftover mozzarella, but now it is a real delicacy. The taste is very mild and creamy. Burrata means buttery, and so is the flavour.

So what is the difference?

The difference between mozzarella and burrata is the addition of cream. This gives burrata a creamier texture. You can really see this when you cut the cheese. That’s when the cream comes out. Both cheeses have so much flavor that you don’t need to add a lot of ingredients. The most famous combination with mozzarella or burrata is the caprese salad. But a nice sandwich with mozzarella and tomatoes is also a top combination.

Where to get it

Burrata and mozzarella are available in supermarkets and cheese shops. Fresh cheeses don’t keep very long, so it’s best to eat them as soon as you buy them. This is less true of the bags in the supermarket, but it is true of those in the cheese shop. The fresher the better, so you can really enjoy the flavor.