Burrata Cheese vs L'Etivaz Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while L'Etivaz Cheese is 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 L'Etivaz Cheese?
L'Etivaz is a hard raw cow's milk cheese from the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, made only during the summer Alpine grazing season in copper cauldrons over wood fires. It tastes close to Gruyère surchoix, fruity and slightly nutty.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and L'Etivaz Cheese?
- Origin: Burrata Cheese (Italy), L'Etivaz Cheese (Switzerland)
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), L'Etivaz Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), L'Etivaz Cheese (unpasteurized)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), L'Etivaz Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), L'Etivaz Cheese (5 to 13 months)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), L'Etivaz Cheese (fruity, slightly nutty)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | L'Etivaz Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Switzerland |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Vaud, Switzerland |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Unpasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Hard |
| Rind | Thin | — |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | 5 to 13 months |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Fruity, slightly nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while L'Etivaz Cheese leans toward creamier and less sharp than antique gruyère, smooth, salty, varying with the pasture soil. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than L'Etivaz Cheese at 5 to 13 months.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for L'Etivaz 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. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while L'Etivaz Cheese brings fruity, slightly nutty notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or L'Etivaz 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 profile, L'Etivaz Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while L'Etivaz Cheese fits dishes calling for fruity, slightly nutty.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as L'Etivaz Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese originates in Italy, while L'Etivaz Cheese comes from Switzerland. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; L'Etivaz Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, L'Etivaz Cheese 5 to 13 months.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to L'Etivaz Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for L'Etivaz Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like L'Etivaz Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while L'Etivaz Cheese is fruity, slightly nutty.
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 L'Etivaz Cheese made of?
L'Etivaz Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized). It's typically aged 5 to 13 months. It originates in Switzerland.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or L'Etivaz Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while L'Etivaz Cheese is hard.