Burrata Cheese vs San Michali Cheese
Burrata Cheese
San Michali Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while San Michali Cheese is compact, with very small irregular holes and made from cow milk, originating in Greece.
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 San Michali Cheese?
San Michali is a hard cow's milk cheese from the Greek island of Syros, aged at least four months. It carries PDO status, tastes salty and piquant, and is one of the most expensive cheeses in Greece.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and San Michali Cheese?
- Origin: Burrata Cheese (Italy), San Michali Cheese (Greece)
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), San Michali Cheese (Cow’s milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), San Michali Cheese (Pasteurized)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), San Michali Cheese (Compact, with very small irregular holes)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), San Michali Cheese (Often covered with paraffin)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), San Michali Cheese (At least four months)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), San Michali Cheese (Salty, peppery)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | San Michali Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Greece |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Island Of Syros |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow’s milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Pasteurized |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Compact, with very small irregular holes |
| Rind | Thin | Often covered with paraffin |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | At least four months |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Salty, peppery |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like San Michali Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while San Michali Cheese brings salty, peppery character. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than San Michali Cheese at at least four months.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for San Michali Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for San Michali 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 compact, with very small irregular holes. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while San Michali Cheese brings salty, peppery notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or San Michali 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 compact, with very small irregular holes profile, San Michali Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while San Michali Cheese fits dishes calling for salty, peppery.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as San Michali Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese originates in Italy, while San Michali Cheese comes from Greece. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; San Michali Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, San Michali Cheese at least four months.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to San Michali Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for San Michali Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like San Michali Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while San Michali Cheese is salty, peppery.
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 San Michali Cheese made of?
San Michali Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged at least four months. It originates in Greece.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or San Michali Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while San Michali Cheese is compact, with very small irregular holes.