Note for lovers of Italian cuisine: storage times and features of burrata cheese
Burrata is a world-famous Italian cheese, the name of which comes from the word burro, which means “butter.”
The product is an exquisite combination of cream and mozzarella. We will talk about the storage periods and conditions of burrata cheese below.
What does it represent?
Burrata owes its appearance more than a hundred years ago to the rural tradition of using all available products, even leftovers. For this purpose, secondary processing is used, among other things.
The process of making such exquisite cheese has its own characteristics. At the initial stage of production, milk is curdled using rennet. The resulting curd is placed in salted whey (water). Cheese “strings” are pulled out of the mass and the cheese of the usual shape is prepared.
The still hot balls are used to make “bags” into which the delicate cheese filling is placed. The prepared portion is tied with goldenflower or in another way, giving the product a characteristic appearance.
Despite the fact that burato initially contained leftovers and trimmings of mozzarella, the resulting cheese is a high-quality delicacy. It is produced manually in different factories. This affects the taste of the cheese, which may differ.
The weight of each portion (one “bag”) ranges from 0.250 to 0.500 kg.
How long is it stored?
Purchased in a store and kept in sealed original packaging, Burrata can be stored for the entire period indicated on the label by the manufacturer. If the package has already been opened, the shelf life is sharply reduced.
Delicate cheese with a creamy filling is a perishable product, not designed for long-term storage. Experts recommend consuming it within 1-2 days immediately after preparation (or after opening the sealed package).
The liquid in which the product is supplied can be poured into a container so that the burrata can be stored in it for another day or two. After 48 hours, the cheese is still edible, but no longer fresh. It may gradually acquire a sour smell and change taste.
The limit for eating Burrata is 4-5 days after preparation or breaking the seal of the factory container, but it is better to use the cheese earlier.
Conditions
Delicate fresh cheese with a limited shelf life requires strict adherence to the rules of maintenance and transportation. Any violations can lead to spoilage of burrata even before the expiration date.
The optimal conditions for cheese are a cool environment (+4-6°C), as well as protection from contact with sunlight and other products. Therefore, it is better to store cheese in the refrigerator in an airtight container in cool water.
It is not advisable to freeze burrata. Being a soft cheese, the product does not tolerate low temperatures well, which is why it may lose its consistency and taste.
Burrata should not be served cold - it should be taken out of the refrigerator half an hour to an hour before eating so that the product can sit at room temperature.You should also cut the cheese only after it has been a little warm.
In classic Italian cuisine, burrata goes well with tomatoes, herbs and crusty bread.
Signs of Burrata Spoilage
An expired product or one that has been improperly stored can quickly deteriorate. The following manifestations may indicate this:
- unpleasant smell of sour milk;
- change in color to an uncharacteristic one;
- sour or bitter taste;
- violation of consistency with the formation of mucus, dried areas, etc.
Spoiled burrata cheese should not be eaten, even after additional heat treatment.
Conclusion
Burrata is a product with a rich composition in an easily digestible form and a delicate taste. Using it in food saturates the body with useful substances.
Even a small piece of 30 grams of product made according to the classic recipe provides the body with vitamin A (5% of the daily value), calcium (16% of the daily value) and other useful substances.
But it is also necessary to take into account the high percentage of fat content of the product and its calorie content. The delicate consistency and unique taste of burrata is the quintessence of taste for connoisseurs of Italian cuisine.
