Burrata Cheese vs Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is semi-hard and made from cow or goat milk.
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 Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Formaggio d'alpe ticinese is a semi-hard raw milk cheese made on the alpine pastures of Ticino, Switzerland, during the summer grazing months. It is known for its brown-grey rind and, in some valleys, a share of goat milk blended into the cow milk.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (cow, sometimes with up to 30% goat)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (raw)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (semi-hard)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (natural, washed in brine)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (60 days to about 1 year)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese (mild when young, spicier with age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Ticino, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow, sometimes with up to 30% goat |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Semi-hard |
| Rind | Thin | Natural, washed in brine |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | 60 days to about 1 year |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Mild when young, spicier with age |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese brings mild when young, spicier with age character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese leans toward varies by alp according to the local pasture flora. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese at 60 days to about 1 year.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese 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 semi-hard. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese brings mild when young, spicier with age notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Formaggio d'alpe ticinese 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 semi-hard profile, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese fits dishes calling for mild when young, spicier with age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese uses cow or goat. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese 60 days to about 1 year.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is mild when young, spicier with age.
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 Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese made of?
Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is made from cow or goat milk (raw), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 60 days to about 1 year.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Formaggio d'alpe ticinese Cheese is semi-hard.