Burrata Cheese vs Ragusano Cheese

Q: Is Burrata Cheese the same as Ragusano Cheese?

No. Burrata Cheese and Ragusano 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 Ragusano Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Ragusano 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

Ragusano Cheese

Burrata Cheese is a soft, creamy buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Ragusano Cheese is compact with widely spaced holes 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 Ragusano Cheese?

Ragusano is an Italian cheese from the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse in Sicily. Made from the milk of Modicana cows, it is a firm, stretched-curd cheese similar to Caciocavallo. Characterized by its rectangular block shape and smooth, golden rind, Ragusano has a spicy, piquant flavor that matures over time.

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

Milk type: Burrata Cheese (water buffalo's milk), Ragusano Cheese (cow's milk)
Milk treatment: Burrata Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Ragusano Cheese (whole)
Texture: Burrata Cheese (Soft, creamy), Ragusano Cheese (Compact with widely spaced holes)
Rind: Burrata Cheese (Thin), Ragusano Cheese (Smooth, thin, and compact, golden or straw-yellow color, turns brownish with aging)
Aging: Burrata Cheese (Within 48 hours), Ragusano Cheese (Semi-aged to prolonged aging)
Taste: Burrata Cheese (Mild, lactic), Ragusano Cheese (From pleasant, sweet, and piquant delicate to savory and spicy with aging)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Burrata Cheese	Ragusano Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Italy
Specific Origin	Andria, Apulia	Province Of Ragusa And Parts Of The Province Of Siracusa
Milk Type	Water buffalo's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized or unpasteurized	Whole
Texture	Soft, creamy	Compact with widely spaced holes
Rind	Thin	Smooth, thin, and compact, golden or straw-yellow color, turns brownish with aging
Aging	Within 48 hours	Semi-aged to prolonged aging
Taste	Mild, lactic	From pleasant, sweet, and piquant delicate to savory and spicy with aging

Taste Comparison: Does Burrata Cheese Taste Like Ragusano Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Ragusano Cheese brings from pleasant, sweet, and piquant delicate to savory and spicy with aging character. More specifically, Burrata Cheese shows creamy, rich, delicate; best enjoyed fresh, while Ragusano Cheese leans toward pleasant, sweet, piquant delicate taste; becomes savory and tends toward spiciness with prolonged aging. Aging plays into this as well. Burrata Cheese at within 48 hours develops a different profile than Ragusano Cheese at semi-aged to prolonged aging.

Can You Substitute Burrata Cheese for Ragusano Cheese?

Burrata Cheese can stand in for Ragusano 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 widely spaced holes. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic while Ragusano Cheese brings from pleasant, sweet, and piquant delicate to savory and spicy with aging notes.

Which Is Better, Burrata Cheese or Ragusano 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 widely spaced holes profile, Ragusano Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Burrata Cheese suits recipes that want mild, lactic notes, while Ragusano Cheese fits dishes calling for from pleasant, sweet, and piquant delicate to savory and spicy with aging.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Burrata Cheese the same as Ragusano Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Burrata Cheese is made from buffalo milk; Ragusano Cheese uses cow. Aging also differs: Burrata Cheese is typically aged within 48 hours, Ragusano Cheese semi-aged to prolonged aging.

Is Burrata Cheese similar to Ragusano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Burrata Cheese for Ragusano Cheese?

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

Does Burrata Cheese taste like Ragusano Cheese?

Burrata Cheese reads as mild, lactic, while Ragusano Cheese is from pleasant, sweet, and piquant delicate to savory and spicy with aging.

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 Ragusano Cheese made of?

Ragusano Cheese is made from cow milk (whole), using natural animal (lamb and/or kid) rennet. It's typically aged semi-aged to prolonged aging. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Burrata Cheese or Ragusano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Burrata Cheese is soft, creamy, while Ragusano Cheese is compact with widely spaced holes.