Burrata Cheese vs Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese
Burrata Cheese
Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy cow or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is soft and compact and made from cow, goat, and sheep milk, originating in Italy.
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 Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
Provola dei Nebrodi is a DOP stretched-curd cheese from the Nebrodi mountains of Sicily, made with raw cow's milk and lamb or kid rennet. It is the only Sicilian provola that is aged, and wheels reach four or five kilograms (about 9 to 11 pounds).
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (cow, occasionally water buffalo), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Cow's whole milk, sometimes with sheep's and/or goat's milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Soft and compact)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Thin, straw-yellow to yellow-amber)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (1 to 4 months)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese (Sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Northeastern Sicily, Area Of Floresta |
| Milk Type | Cow, occasionally water buffalo | Cow's whole milk, sometimes with sheep's and/or goat's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Soft and compact |
| Rind | Thin | Thin, straw-yellow to yellow-amber |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | 1 to 4 months |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese brings sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese leans toward warm milk, butter, fruit notes when fresh; savory and stronger when aged. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese at 1 to 4 months.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Provola dei Nebrodi 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 and compact. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese brings sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Provola dei Nebrodi 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 and compact profile, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from cow or buffalo milk; Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese uses cow, goat, and sheep. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese 1 to 4 months.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is sweet and slightly sour when fresh, savory and strong when aged.
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 Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese made of?
Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is made from cow, goat, and sheep milk (raw), using farmhouse kid’s or lamb’s rennet pas rennet. It's typically aged 1 to 4 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese is soft and compact.