Burrata Cheese vs Montasio Cheese

Q: Is Burrata Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?

No. Burrata Cheese and Montasio Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Burrata Cheese for Montasio Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Burrata Cheese

Montasio Cheese

Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard and made from cow 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 Montasio Cheese?

Montasio is a mountain cheese from northeastern Italy, with a PDO designation. It has a firm texture and can vary in flavor from mild and milky in younger cheeses to richer and more robust in aged varieties. Montasio is often enjoyed grated over pasta and risotto or sliced in sandwiches.

What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Montasio Cheese?

Milk type: Burrata Cheese (water buffalo's milk), Montasio Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Montasio Cheese (unpasteurized)
Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Montasio Cheese (Elastic to crumbly and hard)
Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Montasio Cheese (Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months)
Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Montasio Cheese (Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Burrata Cheese	Montasio Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Italy
Specific Origin	Andria, Apulia	Fruili-Venezia Giulia And Parts Of Belluno, Treviso, Padua, And Venice In Veneto
Milk Type	Water buffalo's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Unpasteurized
Texture	Soft, creamy	Elastic to crumbly and hard
Rind	Thin	—
Aging	Within 48 hours	Fresco: 60-120 days; Mezzano: 120 days-10 months; Stagionato: 10-18 months; Stravecchio: over 18 months
Taste	Mild, lactic	Mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice

Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Montasio Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Montasio Cheese leans toward evolves from mild, creamy, and fruity to fuller, more savory and piquant, with hints of spice as it ages. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Montasio Cheese at fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months.

Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

Burrata Cheese can stand in for Montasio 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 elastic to crumbly and hard. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Montasio Cheese brings mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice notes.

Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Montasio 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 elastic to crumbly and hard profile, Montasio Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Montasio Cheese fits dishes calling for mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burrata Cheese the same as Montasio Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from buffalo milk; Montasio Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Montasio Cheese fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months.

Is Burrata Cheese similar to Montasio Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Montasio Cheese?

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

Does Burrata Cheese taste like Montasio Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Montasio Cheese is mild, creamy, and fruity to savory, piquant, with hints of spice.

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 Montasio Cheese made of?

Montasio Cheese is made from cow milk (unpasteurized), using animal rennet. It's typically aged fresco: 60-120 days; mezzano: 120 days-10 months; stagionato: 10-18 months; stravecchio: over 18 months. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Montasio Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Montasio Cheese is elastic to crumbly and hard.