Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Everyday Life • Cheese

Burrata

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made with an outer shell of mozzarella and a creamy filling of curds and cream.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese made with an outer shell of mozzarella and a creamy filling of curds and cream. It is prized for its soft texture, rich flavour, and the contrast between the firm outside and runny centre.

Origin and history

Burrata originated in southern Italy, with sources placing its creation in the Apulia region around the 1920s. It was reportedly developed as a practical way to use leftover cream and mozzarella curds, turning scraps into a distinctive cheese.

How it is made

To make burrata, mozzarella-style curds are stretched into a thin outer pouch. The pouch is then filled with a mixture of shredded curds and cream—known as stracciatella—before being sealed. The cheese is sold fresh and usually stored in liquid to keep it moist.

Taste and texture

Burrata has a mild, milky flavour with a buttery, rich finish. Its main appeal is the contrast between the elastic outer skin and the soft, flowing centre, which spills out when the cheese is cut.

In short

  • Burrata is a fresh cheese with a mozzarella outer shell and a soft, creamy interior of curds and cream.
  • The filling is called stracciatella, made from shredded curds and cream.
  • It originated in southern Italy, especially the Apulia area around Andria.
  • Best eaten fresh; it does not keep as well as mozzarella due to the cream.
Canadian angle

Burrata is widely sold in Canada through grocery stores, cheesemongers, and restaurants, and it is commonly used in Canadian home cooking and dining for salads, pizzas, and antipasto-style dishes.

Quick questions

What is burrata cheese?
Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese with a mozzarella shell and a creamy centre made from curds and cream.
What is the difference between burrata and mozzarella?
Mozzarella has a uniform texture, while burrata has a mozzarella shell filled with cream and curds. Burrata is richer, softer, and less likely to hold its shape when cut.
How to eat burrata?
Burrata is usually eaten fresh and served simply with bread, tomatoes, olive oil, fruit, or vegetables. It is commonly cut open so the creamy centre spreads onto the dish.

Sources

  1. Wisconsin Cheese — https://www.wisconsincheese.com/about-cheese/what-is-burrata-cheese
    Supports: Definition, production method, mozzarella shell, creamy filling, and comparison with mozzarella.
  2. BBC — https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20200928-the-surprising-origin-of-burrata-cheese
    Supports: Origin in Apulia, Italy, and creation in the 1920s.
  3. Food Network — https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-burrata
    Supports: Description of burrata as fresh cheese, stracciatella filling, flavour profile, and difference from mozzarella.
  4. BBC Food — https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/burrata
    Supports: How burrata is made, stracciatella filling, and serving characteristics.
  5. Allrecipes — https://www.allrecipes.com/article/what-is-burrata/
    Supports: Basic composition, texture, richness, and storage as a fresh cheese.