What Is Burrata? Everything you need to know about this Cheesy Delight
There is no surprise that anyone loves a dish with cheese in it, especially Italian cheese. But there is just something different about burrata.
The delicately soft, cool and creamy cheese is a perfect partner for any party platter, especially when paired with a drizzle of olive oil. It’s mild enough to be used in place of creamier cheeses like brie or gouda on sandwiches or as a vehicle for pesto sauce.
Burrata is a cheese that originates from Southern Italy. Burrata means ‘buttery,’ so its name indicates that this is something special from cheese heaven.
This creamy cheese is not like other types of cheeses, not only in taste but it looks too. If you don’t know about this whitish blob perched cheese, then you are on the right page.
Here’s what Burrata is and how you can make it! Are you ready? Let’s get into it!
What Is Burrata?
What is Burrata? Burrata is derived from the Italian word burro, which means butter that gives you a clue of the riches of this stracciatella filling cheese. Burrata is a fresh soft milk Italian cheese that is made from buffalo’s and cow’s milk.
This white orb of cheese contains a soft filling of cream and curd, while its outer shell is made of mozzarella. Its soft and loose texture makes it more distinguishable.
History of Burrata
According to some historians, it was the early 1930s when in Andria, an owner of the cheese factory, created this alluring creamy cheese. For others, it was originated in Puglia in the mid-20th century.
The Official Journal of the European Union stated that Burrata originated in 1956 in southern Italy when Lorenzo Bianchino couldn’t deliver milk due to heavy snowfall in the town. He was forced to find a new way to save milk cream. He created a thin pouch as a shell from the mozzarella cheese to preserve cream and stracciatella leftover.
Burrata is traditionally wrapped with asphodel leaves or grass stem that shows its freshness. If these leaves are green, then people will know that this cheese is still fresh.
This cheese receives a lot of domination due to its looks, taste, and exclusive texture. The shah of Iran was the great admirer of burrata and flew to Italy to buy the product fresh.
However, this creamy, cheesy delight was the delicacy of the Shah of Iran, but its popularity was not grown beyond Italy until the 1950s. These days, it has become a global cheese, and people love this exceptional cheese all around the world.
How Burrata is made
Burrata is known for this pouch-like shape and bulging head. It often looks like mozzarella cheese. The most appealing part of this semi-soft cheese is cutting its head, which allows the creamy filling ooze out with its buttery flavour.
Burrata has become the iconic symbol of the pizza trend all over Italy. A few ingredients are needed to craft this creamy, rich cheese. Like any other cheese making, it starts with rennet and culture, which are added to fresh warm cow’s milk.
As the milk slowly starts curdling, it is drained off. Now, pour the boiling water over the curd, which makes mozzarella after stretching. This is the point where burrata cheese differentiates itself from mozzarella by making a pouch using this stretch curd.
Then this pouch is filled with fresh curd and cream. The dumpling-like shape is created when cheese expert seals off the pouch with grass stem to create a signature look of burrata.
You can enjoy it best within a day when it is being made. Its taste and texture can be diluted with the passage of time.
Where To Buy Burrata?
Burrata is readily available in most supermarkets here in the UK. You should be able to find it located next to the fresh mozzarella in the cheese aisle.
If you’d prefer to order it online, then check out the Fine Food Specialists.
Recipe Using Burrata - pistachios and burrata salad with heritage tomatoes
Burrata is served with crusty bread, used in salad and atop of many Italian dishes. Here’s how to make burrata.
Ingredients you need:
For burrata platter:
- 4 heritage (heirloom) tomatoes
- 1 sliced peach
- 1 tbsp. of roasted pistachios
- Few cherries and zante currants.
- 1 ball of burrata
- Half cup of mint or basil leaves
- Black pepper and flaky sea salt.
- Toasted bread.
For Lemon-Thyme Oil
Lemon-Thyme Oil
- Half cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- One crushed garlic clove
- Peel of lemon
- 4 sprigs of thyme.
Instructions
- Take a small saucepan and put lemon peel, oil and garlic into the pan over low heat. After gently warming all the ingredients, turn off the stove. Now steep it for around 20 minute and strain.
- Assemble the fresh burrata cheese, heritage tomatoes and peach slices on a platter. Sprinkle some salt and freshly ground peppers, then drizzle with the thyme lemon oil.
- Top with fresh mint or basil leaves and sprinkle with chopped toasted pistachios. You can also top with cherries and zante currants if you like. Serve it with toasted bread.
What to serve with Burrata
Not only it looks alluring, but its taste is amazing as well. Burrata can be served with a variety of dishes and goes well with heritage tomatoes, pasta, grilled chicken and more. It can be drizzled with olive oil and sprinkle with ground black pepper and flakey salt.
FAQs about Burrata
Check these FAQs before buying Burrata:
How to Eat Burrata
Cut the outer shell of burrata into four pieces and serve it with salad, tomatoes, grilled bread, pasta dishes and roasted vegetables. It can also be served as an appetizer. It is best eaten as fresh as possible and consumes it within 24 hours.
What Is The Difference Between Fresh Mozzarella And Burrata?
The mozzarella cheese is made from the milk of buffalo or cow. While Burrata is a mozzarella that has a pouch-like shape and filled with cream and curd. It is made from cow or alternatively buffalo milk.
What is burrata cheese used for?
This soft and creamy cheese can make any dish more luxurious. Its milky texture and amazing taste make it perfect for using it on the freshly baked pizza. Moreover, you can use it with fresh heritage tomatoes and crostini.
Do you eat burrata skin?
Yes! You can eat burrata skin which is made from mozzarella. Its skin is tasty and safe to eat.
Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!