Burrata Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese
Burrata Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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 Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Pecorino Cheese (hard)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Pecorino Cheese (fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Pecorino Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Sheep's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Hard |
| Rind | Thin | — |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Pecorino Cheese at fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Pecorino 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.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Pecorino 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, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Pecorino Cheese fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
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 Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.