Burrata Cheese vs Edam Cheese
Burrata Cheese
Edam Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline and made from cow milk, originating in Netherlands.
What Is Burrata Cheese?
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese from Puglia with a pouch of stretched mozzarella curd around a filling of stracciatella and cream. Cut it open and the soft centre spills out, which is what it is known for.
What Is Edam Cheese?
Edam is a semi-hard Dutch cheese named after the town of Edam in North Holland, sold in flat-ended spheres under a red wax rind. It hardens rather than spoils, which made it the world's most popular cheese from the 14th to the 18th century.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Edam Cheese?
- Origin: Burrata Cheese (Italy), Edam Cheese (Netherlands)
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Edam Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Edam Cheese (pasteurized)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Edam Cheese (Rubber-textured to crystalline)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Edam Cheese (Smooth, waxed)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Edam Cheese (3 months to longer)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Edam Cheese (Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Edam Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Netherlands |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | North Of Holland |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Rubber-textured to crystalline |
| Rind | Thin | Smooth, waxed |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | 3 months to longer |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Sweet, milky, nutty, buttery |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Edam Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Edam Cheese leans toward sweet milky-ness, light brazil nut and almond tones, gentle buttery-ness, aged variants show caramel and roasted nut qualities. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Edam Cheese at 3 months to longer.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Edam Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Edam Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for rubber-textured to crystalline. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Edam Cheese brings sweet, milky, nutty, buttery notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Edam Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Burrata Cheese. For a rubber-textured to crystalline profile, Edam Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Edam Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Edam Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese originates in Italy, while Edam Cheese comes from Netherlands. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Edam Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Edam Cheese 3 months to longer.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Edam Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Edam Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Edam Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Edam Cheese is sweet, milky, nutty, buttery.
What is Burrata Cheese made of?
Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged within 48 hours. It originates in Italy.
What is Edam Cheese made of?
Edam Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 3 months to longer. It originates in Netherlands.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Edam Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Edam Cheese is rubber-textured to crystalline.