Burrini, a pear-shaped cheese from southern Italy, combines soft cow’s milk cheese with a core of whey butter. The cheese, reminiscent of Caciocavallo, encases the butter, keeping it fresh in warm climates. Traditionally, burrini are tied and aged for about a week, earning the nickname "mule's testicles" due to their unique hanging method.
Originating in Calabria, burrini are known for their mild, buttery taste and strong aroma. Enjoyed as a table cheese, they pair well with bread and fresh vegetables like fennel and tomatoes. Notable for their contribution to the regional cuisine of Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Sicily, and Calabria, burrini from the Sila region are especially sought after for their quality.
Made by encasing a ball of butter in mozzarella or provolone, burrini's texture is creamy, and its aroma pungent. Those from Podolica cows are particularly valued. Burrini is best-savored spread on toast, accompanied by white wine or sparkling rosé, capturing the essence of Italian culinary tradition.
Important Facts
Country of Origin | Italy |
Specific Origin | Campania, Puglia, etc. |
Milk Type | Cow's Milk |
Rind | Soft |
Texture | Soft, springy |
Flavor | Mild, buttery |
Aroma | Pungent |
Colors | Straw-colored |
Forms | Pear-shaped, tied |
Age | 6 to 8 days |
Other Cheeses from Italy
- Asiago
- Bitto
- Bra
- Burrata
- Caciocavallo
- Cacioricotta
- Caciotta
- Canestrato di Moliterno
- Canestrato Pugliese
- Casatella Trevigiana
- Casciotta d'Urbino
- Casieddu
- Castelmagno
- Crescenza
- Fiore Sardo
- Fiore Sicano
- Fontal
- Fontina
- Fontina Val d'Aosta
- Formaggella del Luinese
- Formaggio di fossa
- Gorgonzola
- Gorgonzola Dolce
- Grana Padano
- Maiorchino
- Mascarpone
- Montasio
- Monte Veronese
- Mozzarella
- Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
- Murazzano
- Nostrano Valtrompia
- Parmesan
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Pecorino di Filiano
- Pecorino di Picinisco
- Pecorino Romano
- Pecorino Sardo
- Pecorino Siciliano
- Pecorino Toscano
- Pepato
- Piacentinu Ennese
- Piave
- Provola dei Nebrodi
- Provolone
- Provolone del Monaco
- Provolone Valpadana
- Puzzone di Moena
- Quartirolo Lombardo
- Ragusano
- Raschera
- Ricotta
- Ricotta Infornata
- Ricotta Salata
- Robiola
- Robiola di Roccaverano
- Romano
- Salva Cremasco
- Scamorza
- Spressa delle Giudicarie
- Squacquerone di Romagna
- Stelvio
- Stracchino
- Strachitunt
- Taleggio
- Toma
- Toma Piemontese
- Tuma Persa
- Valle d'Aosta Fromadzo
- Valtellina Casera
- Vastedda della Valle del Belice