Burrata Cheese vs Provolone del Monaco Cheese
Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes 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 Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Provolone del Monaco is a semi-hard cheese from the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy, made from the milk of local Agerolese cows. Aged for a minimum of six months, it develops a strong, sharp flavor with earthy and nutty undertones. Its name, meaning "Monk's Provolone," refers to the cloak-like cover traditionally used during the aging process.
What's the Difference Between Burrata Cheese and Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
- Milk type: Burrata Cheese (water buffalo's milk), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (cow's milk)
- Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Raw)
- Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Compact with eyes)
- Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Thin and smooth pale-yellow)
- Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (At least 6 months)
- Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Provolone del Monaco Cheese (Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Burrata Cheese | Provolone del Monaco Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Specific Origin | Andria, Apulia | Municipalities In The Metropolitan City Of Naples |
| Milk Type | Water buffalo's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized or unpasteurized | Raw |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Compact with eyes |
| Rind | Thin | Thin and smooth pale-yellow |
| Aging | Within 48 hours | At least 6 months |
| Taste | Mild, lactic | Sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste |
Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste character. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Provolone del Monaco Cheese at at least 6 months.
Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Burrata Cheese can stand in for Provolone del Monaco 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 eyes. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Provolone del Monaco Cheese brings sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste notes.
Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Provolone del Monaco 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 eyes profile, Provolone del Monaco Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese fits dishes calling for sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burrata Cheese the same as Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from buffalo milk; Provolone del Monaco Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Provolone del Monaco Cheese at least 6 months.
Is Burrata Cheese similar to Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Burrata Cheese taste like Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is sweet and buttery aroma with a pleasant spicy taste.
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 Provolone del Monaco Cheese made of?
Provolone del Monaco Cheese is made from cow milk (raw), using kid rennet paste or calf liquid rennet or a combination of both rennet. It's typically aged at least 6 months. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Provolone del Monaco Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Provolone del Monaco Cheese is compact with eyes.