Burrata Cheese vs Ossolano Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Ossolano Cheese is firm and springy with small, irregular eyes 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 Ossolano Cheese?
Ossolano is an Italian PDO cow's milk cheese from the Ossola valley in Piedmont, made year round in small mountain dairies and ripened at least 60 days. It comes as plain Ossolano or as Ossolano d'Alpe, made in summer on pastures above 1,400 m.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Ossolano Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Ossolano Cheese (Cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Ossolano Cheese (Whole milk from two to four successive milkings)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Ossolano Cheese (Firm and springy with small, irregular eyes)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Ossolano Cheese (Smooth, regular, straw yellow, darkens with age)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Ossolano Cheese (Minimum 60 days)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Ossolano Cheese (Harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Ossolano Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Ossola Valley, Piedmont Region |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Whole milk from two to four successive milkings |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Firm and springy with small, irregular eyes |
| Rind | Thin | Smooth, regular, straw yellow, darkens with age |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | Minimum 60 days |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Ossolano Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Ossolano Cheese brings harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Ossolano Cheese leans toward floral notes, hints of nuts, buttery diacetyl taste, ripe and dried fruit, vanilla, dog-roses, alpine flowers, spiciness. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Ossolano Cheese at minimum 60 days.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Ossolano Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Ossolano 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 and springy with small, irregular eyes. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Ossolano Cheese brings harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Ossolano 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 and springy with small, irregular eyes profile, Ossolano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Ossolano Cheese fits dishes calling for harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense with age.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Ossolano Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Ossolano Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Ossolano Cheese minimum 60 days.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Ossolano Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Ossolano Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Ossolano Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Ossolano Cheese is harmonious and delicate, becomes more intense 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 Ossolano Cheese made of?
Ossolano Cheese is made from cow milk (whole milk from two to four successive milkings). It's typically aged minimum 60 days.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Ossolano Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Ossolano Cheese is firm and springy with small, irregular eyes.