Burrata Cheese vs Ricotta Cheese
Burrata Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist and made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Burrata Cheese?
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, similar to mozzarella but with a creamy interior that oozes out when cut open. Made from cow's milk, the outer shell is solid mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it an extraordinarily rich, buttery flavor and soft texture.
What Is Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta is a soft Italian cheese made from the whey left over from the production of other cheeses, primarily sheep, cow, goat, or buffalo milk. It has a creamy texture and a mild, sweet flavor, making it versatile for both savory dishes, like lasagna and ravioli, and sweet dishes, such as cheesecakes and cannoli.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Ricotta Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (water buffalo's milk), Ricotta Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Ricotta Cheese (Whey)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Ricotta Cheese (Soft, moist)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Ricotta Cheese (None)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Ricotta Cheese (Fresh)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Ricotta Cheese (Sweet, slightly creamy)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Ricotta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | — |
| Milk Type | Water buffalo's milk | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Whey |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Soft, moist |
| Rind | Thin | None |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | Fresh |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Sweet, slightly creamy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Burrata Cheese | Ricotta Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Fruit Compote, Pumpkin |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Albariño, Apricot, Asti Spumante, Bresaola, Honey, Honeycomb, Kiwi, Mangoes, Pesto, Raspberry, Roasted Vegetables, Strawberries |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Burrata Cheese and Ricotta Cheese
Burrata Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Ricotta Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Ricotta Cheese leans toward depending on milk source. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Ricotta Cheese at fresh.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Ricotta Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Ricotta 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 soft, moist. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Ricotta Cheese brings sweet, slightly creamy notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Ricotta 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 soft, moist profile, Ricotta Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Ricotta Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet, slightly creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Ricotta Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from buffalo milk; Ricotta Cheese uses cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Ricotta Cheese fresh.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Ricotta Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Ricotta Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Ricotta Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Ricotta Cheese is sweet, slightly creamy.
What is Burrata Cheese made of?
Burrata Cheese is made from buffalo milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged within 48 hours. It originates in Italy.
What is Ricotta Cheese made of?
Ricotta Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (whey), using animal or microbial rennet. It's typically aged fresh. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Ricotta Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Ricotta Cheese is soft, moist.
See full profiles: Burrata Cheese and Ricotta Cheese.