Burrata Cheese vs Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals and made from cow 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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar is a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) cheese made in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is crafted using local milk and a unique dry stir technique developed in 1984, which gives it a firm, dense texture. The cheese matures for 6 to 18 months, creating medium, mature, and extra mature varieties with savory, nutty flavors. The production process includes hand-salting the curd for even distribution and controlled maturation for consistent quality. Orkney Cheddar has won multiple awards and is known for its excellent melting properties. It is available in both white and colored forms, with the latter containing a vegetable-based pigment.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Cow)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (None)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (6 to 18 months)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese (Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Orkney Islands, North Of Scotland |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals |
| Rind | Thin | None |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | 6 to 18 months |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese brings savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese leans toward moderate sharp acid notes, rounded with savory and nutty undertones. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese at 6 to 18 months.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese brings savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar 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 firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals profile, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese fits dishes calling for savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese 6 to 18 months.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is savory and nutty with varying sharpness depending on aging.
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 Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese made of?
Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged 6 to 18 months.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar Cheese is firm but malleable; smooth and closed; extra mature may have a slightly brittle texture with lactate crystals.