Burrata is one of the most fantastic cheeses you could come across. It’s like a shell of mozzarella wrapped around more cheese and cream, made into a ball.
A Brief History of Burrata
Before we explore what burrata cheese is, we need to dive into the history. According to the BBC, burrata was invented in the 1920s.
The exact inventor is up for debate, but burrata is definitely an Italian creation. Specifically, the cheese was made in the Apulia region, to minimize waste.
Cheese was a precious commodity. Riccardo Campanile, a Puglian historian, told the BBC that every part of burrata came from different steps of the cheesemaking process.
The Unique Texture of Burrata
Being a kind of all-in-one cheese, burrata has a unique texture. The outside is a soft mozzarella shell. Once you bite into it, though, the texture completely changes.
That’s because the filling is ultra rich, made from cream and mozzarella cheese curds. The inside is a bit more liquid-y (though it shouldn’t be runny).
Even though the inner and outer textures differ, the cheese is still really smooth throughout. Overall, burrata is just a really soft, creamy cheese.
What is Burrata’s Flavor Profile?
With a creamy filling as rich as burrata’s, you know it’ll taste super rich and delicious. Unlike other cheeses, burrata doesn’t have a strong taste.
Rather, burrata’s flavor profile is on the milder side. The creaminess is obvious, of course, but there’s a sweetness underpinning it that isn’t in-your-face.
If you like how mozzarella cheese tastes and don’t mind burrata’s creamy inside, you’ll probably be a fan of burrata. Think of it as mozzarella, squared.
Crafting the Outer Shell: The Mozzarella Pouch
As you can imagine, burrata cheese is hard to make on your own. If you’re a brave soul who still wants to try, here’s few tips and tricks.
First off, don’t just buy a ball of mozzarella. The outer shell isn’t your average ball of mozz with the insides scooped out.
Instead, you’ll want to make it from a mozzarella cheese curd. According to Food & Wine, you should stretch it out, before shaping into a ball.
Filling the Heart: The Stracciatella and Cream Mixture
Mozzarella cheese curds can go a long way. Per Food & Wine, you should mix the curds together, before tearing them up into smaller bits.
Once you have the cheese curds, you’ll need to add the cream. Mix heavy cream and cheese bits together with salt in a separate bowl.
In case you were wondering, this creamy, cheesy filling is called “stracciatella.” You can mix in other ingredients with it, depending on your personal tastes.
The Final Touch: Sealing and Packaging
Once you’ve either made or bought burrata, you need to store it properly. The last thing you want is for this delicious cheese to go to waste.
So, how do you properly store it? Well, as always, you should refrigerate the cheese. You don’t want to leave it completely uncovered, though.
Placing burrata cheese in a securely sealed, water filled container will help maintain freshness. In this state, your cheese will last a little less than a week.
Tips for Selecting High-Quality Burrata at Stores
The best burrata is freshly made. When buying burrata, check the sell-by date. As we mentioned earlier, homemade burrata cheese usually doesn’t last past a week.
If you can, conduct a smell test. If the cheese is especially pungent, with a sour smell, then it’s best not to buy it.
Your best shot at getting high-quality, store-bought burrata is if the location specializes in cheeses. Otherwise, the store-bought cheese’s quality just won’t compare to its homemade counterpart.
Culinary Uses and Pairings
While cheese lovers would probably relish burrata’s taste all on its own, it’s usually paired with other ingredients. Most common is fresh, sliced tomatoes.
If you like meat, try adding some rolled prosciutto to the mix. Basil and kalamata olives also taste delicious with burrata, especially when spread over flatbread.
Of course, as with all things Italian, olive oil plays a big part. Drizzle olive oil over your burrata salad for the final touch.
Signs of Freshness and How to Spot Spoilage
Aside from the expiration date, how can you tell if your burrata is fresh? We said it before and we’ll say it again: the smell.
It’s generally a good rule of thumb to not eat anything that smells like spoiled milk. If your burrata has that scent, don’t eat it.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any visual cues. You could try cutting it open to see how the filling is holding up, but it’s really all in the smell.
Essential Tools and Ingredients for Making Burrata at Home
Of course, mozzarella cheese is a must. You literally can’t make burrata without it. There are some non-cheese tools you’ll need on hand, though.
First off, you’ll need a pot filled with boiling water. This is what you’ll use to make both the cheese curds and stracciatella.
If you don’t want to tear the mozzarella yourself, then you can use a knife to chop it. You’ll still need to shape the shell yourself, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cheese is similar to burrata?
The closest cheese to burrata is obviously mozzarella, seeing as that’s what it’s made from. Burrata may be creamier, but there’d be no burrata without mozzarella.
If you love burrata for its creamy inside, though, then mozzarella may not be a great alternative. In that case, you may want to go for ricotta.
If you’ve ever eaten a really good cannoli, it was probably filled with ricotta. It’s the kind of cheese made for spreading on crackers and filling pastries.
Does burrata go bad?
Oh, yeah. Burrata cheese is very delicate, and can spoil pretty quickly. We said that you have less than a week until it goes bad, which is true.
However, you honestly shouldn’t wait that long to eat it. The best burrata is eaten only a couple of days after it’s made, if not immediately after.
Even if you’re buying it from a store, eat it as soon as you buy it. This really isn’t something you want to forget in the fridge.
Is burrata more expensive?
Since burrata has a more intensive creation process, it’s generally more expensive than other cheeses. This can be both a blessing and a curse.
If burrata is more expensive, that (usually) means that more work went into making it. Even though that sucks, at least you know it’s fresh.
Plus, most stores know just how delicious and valuable burrata is. There’s no way it’d sell for cheap, unless it was super cheaply made.
Conclusion
No matter who you are, everyone loves some good cheese recipes. Understanding what burrata cheese is can open your mind to a whole world of them.
Ultimately, burrata cheese is truly a marvel. Invented to minimize waste during the cheesemaking process, it has since transformed into a staple of fine Italian cuisine.
While some cheeses, like mozzarella and ricotta, can mimic burrata, this cheese is irreplaceable. Once you taste it, you’ll never know how you lived without it.
