Burrata Cheese vs Red Leicester Cheese

Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly and made from cow milk, originating in United Kingdom.

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 Red Leicester Cheese?

Red Leicester is an English cow's milk cheese from Leicestershire, close to Cheddar but crumblier. Annatto gives it its orange colour, and four to nine months of ageing takes it from mild and mellow to tangy and slightly nutty.

What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Red Leicester Cheese?

• Origin: Burrata Cheese (Italy), Red Leicester Cheese (United Kingdom)
• Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Red Leicester Cheese (cow's milk)
• Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Red Leicester Cheese (Hard, similar to Cheddar but more moist, crumbly)
• Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Red Leicester Cheese (Clothbound (Sparkenhoe Farm), Plastic (industrial))
• Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Red Leicester Cheese (6 months (traditional), varies for industrial)
• Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Red Leicester Cheese (caramel, sweet)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Red Leicester Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Red Leicester Cheese leans toward mild and mellow when young, stronger and tangier with age, slightly nutty with a sweet aftertaste. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Red Leicester Cheese at 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

Burrata Cheese can stand in for Red Leicester 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, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Red Leicester Cheese brings caramel, sweet notes.

Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Red Leicester 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, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly profile, Red Leicester Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Red Leicester Cheese fits dishes calling for caramel, sweet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burrata Cheese the same as Red Leicester Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese originates in Italy, while Red Leicester Cheese comes from United Kingdom. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Red Leicester Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Red Leicester Cheese 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial.

Is Burrata Cheese similar to Red Leicester Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Red Leicester Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Burrata Cheese taste like Red Leicester Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Red Leicester Cheese is caramel, sweet.

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 Red Leicester Cheese made of?

Red Leicester Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized (sparkenhoe farm), pasteurized (others)), using animal rennet. It's typically aged 6 months (traditional), varies for industrial. It originates in United Kingdom.

Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Red Leicester Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Red Leicester Cheese is hard, similar to cheddar but more moist, crumbly.