Quick Answer
Burrata cheese is generally considered more fattening than regular mozzarella cheese. This is because burrata contains a soft stracciatella filling which is made from mozzarella and cream. The addition of cream increases the fat and calorie content of burrata compared to regular mozzarella. An ounce of burrata contains about 13 grams of fat and 135 calories while an ounce of part-skim mozzarella contains around 6 grams of fat and 85 calories. So burrata has around twice as much fat and calories as mozzarella per ounce. However, both cheeses can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Nutrition Profile of Burrata and Mozzarella
To understand why burrata is more fattening than mozzarella, let’s look at the nutrition facts of each cheese.
Burrata Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for a 1 ounce serving of whole milk burrata cheese (source: USDA):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 135 |
| Fat | 13g |
| Saturated fat | 8g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Carbohydrates | 1g |
| Calcium | 19% DV |
As you can see, a 1 ounce serving of burrata contains 135 calories and 13 grams of fat, with 8 grams coming from saturated fat. It’s a high fat cheese.
Mozzarella Nutrition Facts
Now let’s look at the nutrition facts for a 1 ounce serving of part-skim mozzarella cheese (source: USDA):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 85 |
| Fat | 6g |
| Saturated fat | 4g |
| Protein | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 1g |
| Calcium | 20% DV |
The part-skim mozzarella contains 85 calories and 6 grams of fat per ounce, with 4 grams coming from saturated fat.
Comparing the two, burrata contains around 50 more calories and 7 more grams of fat per ounce than mozzarella. The saturated fat content is also higher in burrata.
So based solely on nutrition numbers, burrata is clearly the more fattening option.
Reasons Why Burrata is Higher in Fat and Calories
There are a few key reasons why burrata packs more fat and calories into each bite compared to fresh mozzarella:
Burrata Contains Cream
The main reason burrata is more fattening than mozzarella is that it contains cream in the inner stracciatella filling. Heavy cream or double cream is added to the mozzarella curds to create the signature creamy center of burrata.
Cream contains high levels of fat. An ounce of heavy creams has around 50 calories and 5 grams of fat (source: USDA). The addition of cream increases the fat and calorie content of the cheese.
Regular mozzarella, on the other hand, is made solely from milk without added cream. So it’s much lower in fat in calories than burrata.
Whole Milk vs Part-Skim Milk
Another factor is that burrata is made from whole milk while mozzarella is often made from part-skim milk.
Whole milk contains around 3.5% milk fat while part-skim milk contains 1-2% milk fat. Using whole milk rather than part-skim milk increases the total fat and calories per ounce.
So the higher fat milk used in burrata production contributes to its higher fat and calorie content.
Manufacturing Process
The processes used to make burrata and mozzarella are slightly different, which impacts the nutrition profile.
Burrata starts with mozzarella curds, which are mixed with cream and other ingredients to form the stracciatella filling. The mozzarella curds on the outside are stretched and kneaded into the final shape.
Regular mozzarella doesn’t contain the fatty stracciatella filling. The curds may be mixed with some whey or water during stretching but not heavy cream.
So the manufacturing process itself results in a higher fat product in burrata compared to mozzarella.
Comparing Fat and Calories in Burrata and Mozzarella
To clearly demonstrate the difference in fat and calorie content, let’s compare equivalent amounts of burrata and mozzarella:
3.5 ounces (100 grams)
– Burrata: About 34 grams fat, 386 calories
– Mozzarella: About 17 grams fat, 228 calories
7 ounces (200 grams)
– Burrata: About 68 grams fat, 771 calories
– Mozzarella: About 34 grams fat, 456 calories
As you can see, a typical serving of burrata can contain twice as much fat and 1.5 times as many calories as the same amount of mozzarella.
So burrata is clearly more fattening based on its higher fat and calorie numbers.
Health Impact of Choosing Burrata vs Mozzarella
Let’s now compare the potential health impacts of regularly choosing burrata versus mozzarella:
Weight Gain
The extra calories in burrata makes it more likely to lead to weight gain over time if eaten regularly. The 50 or so extra calories per ounce can add up over many servings.
For example, if you ate 1 ounce of burrata instead of mozzarella daily for a month, that’s an extra 1,500 calories, which could lead to about 0.4 pounds of weight gain.
So replacing mozzarella with burrata on sandwiches, pizzas, and salads may need to be balanced with other diet and exercise changes to avoid gaining weight.
Heart Health
The higher saturated fat content of burrata could potentially impact heart health if eaten excessively.
Current nutrition guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to no more than 10% of total calories (source). Going above this amount may raise LDL cholesterol levels, increasing heart disease risk.
However, eating burrata in moderation as part of a diet low in saturated fat is unlikely to have major effects on heart health for most people.
Nutritional Benefits
Despite being higher in fat and calories, burrata is nutritious like mozzarella, providing a good amount of protein, calcium, and other nutrients.
And it contains beneficial healthy fats that are important for health. Burrata’s creamy taste and texture may also help satisfy cravings for high-fat foods.
So burrata can be included as part of a healthy diet, in moderation. It provides nutritional benefits as well as delicious flavor.
Tips for Enjoying Burrata Without Overindulging
Here are some tips to enjoy burrata cheese without overdoing the fat and calories:
– Stick to ounce-size servings or less to control portions.
– Choose burrata only occasionally rather than every day.
– Balance it out by eating lean proteins and non-starchy veggies.
– Avoid deep-frying burrata or breading and frying – stick to simple fresh preparations.
– Try using thick sliced tomatoes or other vegetables as a lower-calorie substitute for some of the cheese in recipes.
– Skip the extra olive oil drizzle or creamy sauces to prevent overloading on fat.
– Opt for fresh mozzarella on a daily basis instead since it’s lower in fat.
– Don’t eat the whole ball of burrata in one sitting. Split it into servings and enjoy it across multiple meals.
As long as you pay attention to portion size and frequency, you can definitely still enjoy the rich, creamy deliciousness of burrata cheese as part of a healthy diet.
Conclusion
Burrata cheese is more fattening than regular mozzarella, containing around twice as much fat and calories ounce for ounce. This difference is caused by the addition of cream in burrata, as well as differences in manufacturing methods and milk used.
The extra calories and saturated fat in burrata can lead to increased weight gain and heart disease risk if eaten in large amounts. However, enjoyed in moderate portions as part of a well-rounded diet, burrata can be included without major health impacts. Pay attention to serving sizes to keep the fat and calories under control.
So burrata can be an indulgent treat that cheese lovers don’t have to give up entirely. Just be mindful of portions and enjoy it as part of an overall healthy eating pattern. With some basic precautions, burrata can be included even in a weight loss diet. The creamy, melt-in-your mouth texture can be worth the extra bit of fat.
