Burrata Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep 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 Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | — |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | Thin | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Soft 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 spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Soft Cheese is mild.
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 Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.