Burrata Cheese vs Emmental Cheese

Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard and made from cow milk, originating in Switzerland.

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 Emmental Cheese?

Emmental is a yellow, medium-hard Swiss cheese from the Emme Valley, known for the natural holes that run through it. The taste is savoury but mild. It is eaten cold in chunks or slices and melted into dishes such as gratins.

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

• Origin: Burrata Cheese (Italy), Emmental Cheese (Switzerland)
• Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Emmental Cheese (cow's milk)
• Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Emmental Cheese (Raw)
• Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Emmental Cheese (Hard or medium-hard)
• Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Emmental Cheese (natural)
• Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Emmental Cheese (4 months to over 1 year)
• Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Emmental Cheese (Nutty, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Emmental Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Emmental Cheese leans toward characterized by its holes ("eyes"), sweet and slightly rubbery, crystalline when aged. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Emmental Cheese at 4 months to over 1 year.

Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Emmental Cheese?

Burrata Cheese can stand in for Emmental 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 hard or medium-hard. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Emmental Cheese brings nutty, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Emmental 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 hard or medium-hard profile, Emmental Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Emmental Cheese fits dishes calling for nutty, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burrata Cheese the same as Emmental Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese originates in Italy, while Emmental Cheese comes from Switzerland. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Emmental Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Emmental Cheese 4 months to over 1 year.

Is Burrata Cheese similar to Emmental Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Emmental Cheese?

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

Does Burrata Cheese taste like Emmental Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Emmental Cheese is nutty, sweet.

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 Emmental Cheese made of?

Emmental Cheese is made from cow milk (raw). It's typically aged 4 months to over 1 year. It originates in Switzerland.

Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Emmental Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Emmental Cheese is hard or medium-hard.