Bra Cheese vs Burrata Cheese

Bra Cheese is a hard or semi-hard depending on aging cow, goat, or sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy and made from buffalo milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Bra Cheese?

Bra cheese comes from the town of Bra in Piedmont, Italy, and can be made from either cow's milk alone or a blend of cow's and sheep's or goat’s milk. It ranges in texture from soft and creamy to firm, depending on its aging, and has a mild, slightly grassy flavor that becomes more pronounced with maturation.

What Is Burrata Cheese?

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, similar to mozzarella but with a creamy interior that oozes out when cut open. Made from cow's milk, the outer shell is solid mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it an extraordinarily rich, buttery flavor and soft texture.

What's the Difference Between Bra Cheese and Burrata Cheese?

• Milk type: Bra Cheese (Cow's milk; optionally mixed with small quantities of sheep or goat milk), Burrata Cheese (water buffalo's milk)
• Milk treatment: Bra Cheese (Raw or Pasteurized), Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized)
• Texture: Bra Cheese (Hard or semi-hard depending on aging), Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy)
• Rind: Bra Cheese (Natural), Burrata Cheese (Thin)
• Aging: Bra Cheese (45 days for Bra Tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for Bra Duro (hard)), Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours)
• Taste: Bra Cheese (Range from mild to piquant), Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Bra Cheese Taste Like Burrata Cheese?

Bra Cheese reads as range from mild to piquant, while Burrata Cheese brings mild, lactic character. Aging plays into this as well. Bra Cheese at 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard) develops a different profile than Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours.

Can You Substitute Bra Cheese for Burrata Cheese?

Bra Cheese can stand in for Burrata Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard or semi-hard depending on aging bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, creamy. Flavor-wise, Bra Cheese reads as range from mild to piquant while Burrata Cheese brings mild, lactic notes.

Which Is Better, Bra Cheese or Burrata Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard or semi-hard depending on aging cheese, go with Bra Cheese. For a soft, creamy profile, Burrata Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Bra Cheese suits recipes that want range from mild to piquant notes, while Burrata Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, lactic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bra Cheese the same as Burrata Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk; Burrata Cheese uses buffalo. Aging also differs: Bra Cheese is typically aged 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard), Burrata Cheese within 48 hours.

Is Bra Cheese similar to Burrata Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Bra Cheese for Burrata Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Bra Cheese taste like Burrata Cheese?

Bra Cheese reads as range from mild to piquant, while Burrata Cheese is mild, lactic.

What is Bra Cheese made of?

Bra Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw or pasteurized), using traditional calf rennet. It's typically aged 45 days for bra tenero (soft) and at least 6 months for bra duro (hard). It originates in Italy.

What is Burrata Cheese made of?

Burrata Cheese is made from buffalo milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged within 48 hours. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Bra Cheese or Burrata Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Bra Cheese is hard or semi-hard depending on aging, while Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy.