Can You Freeze Burrata? To put it in extremely simple words, burrata is a type of cheese that finds its creamy roots in Apulia, Italy. In slightly technical terms, the cheese is a cumulation of mozzarella cheese and cream which is known as stracciatella. Together, these ingredients are stuffed into a pouch!
Now, this is a cheese that is known for its extreme versatility. In fact, you will find that it goes flawlessly with the rest of the items on your wine-tasting menu! Therefore, it only makes sense that you would want to freeze burrata. But, can you freeze it? Without wasting any more time, let’s get you to the real answer!
- Can You Freeze Burrata?
- Why You Cannot Freeze Burrata – The Actual Reason
- How Can You Store Burrata Cheese?
- Does Burrata Freeze Well?
- How Long Can Burrata Cheese Remain Edible if Stored Properly?
- How to Check for Spoilage in Burrata Cheese?
- Tips and Tricks for Proper Storage of Burrata Cheese
- Can you freeze burrata cheese if you want to grate it?
- Should you drain the liquid from the burrata cheese before storing it in the refrigerator?
- Can you freeze mozzarella cheese?
Can You Freeze Burrata?
No, you cannot freeze burrata cheese. That’s the short answer to this question. The long answer, however, requires a little more thought. The simple fact is that you can freeze burrata cheese.
But, the cheese is such a delicate item that you have virtually doomed it the second you pop it in your freezer. If you happen to freeze this cheese, you will soon find out that it is impossible to defrost this cheese in a manner that preserves its original taste and texture. Therefore, we simply like to stick to saying that you cannot freeze burrata cheese.
Why You Cannot Freeze Burrata – The Actual Reason
Freezing burrata should not be an option for you, especially if you are eating it for its taste and texture, as a connoisseur of cheese, and this is why. For starters, it is prepared and enjoyed as a fresh cheese. Freezing it would first strip the cheese of its authentic flavor if nothing else.
Further, the cheese is heavily dependent on the fair bit of moisture it holds. However, that moisture also expands into water droplets and then it turns into ice when you place it in the freezer. Naturally, the presence of ice crystals in your burrata is going to lead to a completely ruined texture. Basically, at this stage of freezing, the burrata cheese has lost its smoothness and creaminess altogether because of the interference of the water droplets in it.
If at all you must store the burrata to increase its shelf life, then storing it out of the freezer is your only option. Thankfully for you, we have covered that in the following sections. So, keep reading to understand the best way to store your burrata cheese!
How Can You Store Burrata Cheese?
As we mentioned, freezing this cheese is simply not an option. So, your best hope of preserving this cheese for a little longer is to store it out of your refrigerator. However, as a disclaimer, we feel that you would be better off simply eating it as soon as you buy it or when you open the packaging.
If you must store it, then all you need to do is transfer the contents of the cheese pouch into an airtight container and make sure that it is sealed off and immune to the outer world to some extent. Then, place the container in your refrigerator. Once you have placed it in your refrigerator, you have a maximum of 2 days to gobble the cheese up.
Alternatively, you can also use aluminum foil or plastic cling film to wrap the cheese in an airtight fashion and then place it in the airtight storage container. The foil or wrap will act as added protection against the piercing cold in your refrigerator and will keep the cheese soft and fresh for a little longer! Try to ensure that you store the cheese at a temperature that falls somewhere between 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it soft and fresh for as long as possible. Any lower than that and your cheese runs the risk of developing ice crystals within itself.
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Does Burrata Freeze Well?
No, burrata cheese does not freeze well. Therefore, if you were hoping to freeze it and then use it in its frozen form to bypass the thawing process, you are in for a rather rude surprise. Burrata cheese is an extremely creamy cheese that can only be enjoyed when it is fresh. While its hard-cheese counterparts do extremely well in the freezer, burrata, being a soft cheese, does not.
Even freezing the cheese for a couple of hours will lead to its inedibility. If you ever feel like taking that risk, you will understand as soon as you try to eat frozen burrata, it will be like eating cheese-flavored ice chips because of the presence of ice crystals inside the cheese!
How Long Can Burrata Cheese Remain Edible if Stored Properly?
To begin with, your burrata cheese will remain fresh as long as it stays in its sealed original packaging and while it remains within its expiry date. However, once you open the seal, that timeline reduces quite dramatically. In general, the cheese, with the original sealed packaging, has an estimated shelf life of about 2 weeks. When you open the packet, the cheese will remain edible for only 2 days.
How to Check for Spoilage in Burrata Cheese?
The first thing to do is to check the expiration date on your burrata’s original packaging. If the cheese is past its printed date of expiry, you would be better off simply discarding the cheese right there and then. However, if you have opened it, then your markers of spoilage won’t be dependent on the date of expiry.
Therefore, make sure that you pay close attention to the odor of the cheese along with its appearance. If you smell rancidity in the cheese or can see mold or sliminess, it means that your burrata is completely spoiled. In such scenarios, throwing the cheese out entirely is your safest bet in ensuring that you don’t catch food poisoning!
Tips and Tricks for Proper Storage of Burrata Cheese
Storing burrata cheese is a tricky affair as it is. We want to make it considerably easier for you. Therefore, here are some of our most effective tips and tricks for storing burrata cheese properly!
- Keep the cheese wet and fresh by storing it in the liquid it came in. Burrata cheese is often sold in a container filled with liquid. The liquid aids in preserving the cheese, therefore it’s best to leave it there rather than draining the cheese.
- It is crucial that you store the cheese away from foods that have strong odors. Therefore, when you place it in your refrigerator, make sure that it is tightly wrapped in a layer of aluminum foil or plastic cling film and then placed in an airtight container. Also, make sure that you do not place other odorous food items like garlic and onions close to that container!
- Whenever you are ready to serve or enjoy the burrata cheese, you need to allow it to return to room temperature and regain its original soft-cheese texture. To do this, all you need to do is remove it from your refrigerator and place it on your kitchen counter for about half an hour. The warming of the cheese will also enhance the release of its authentic flavors and aroma!
FAQs About Can You Freeze Burrata
1. Can you freeze burrata cheese if you want to grate it?
If you only want to grate your burrata cheese, then you might just benefit from freezing it for an extremely short period of time. The cold will help firm the cheese up a little which makes it suitable for grating.
2. Should you drain the liquid from the burrata cheese before storing it in the refrigerator?
No, you should never drain the liquid from the burrata cheese packaging before storing it in the refrigerator. The liquid is essential in ensuring that your cheese remains slightly moist and fresh!
3. Can you freeze mozzarella cheese?
Yes, you can freeze mozzarella cheese quite well. Since the cheese has a slightly lower moisture content, it does not develop ice crystals upon being frozen. Therefore, the cheese retains its texture and taste even when it has been frozen!
Final Outcomes
As with everything in the world, the best things also have certain disadvantages. Even burrata, despite being an extremely delicious cheese, has such a disadvantage. However, the fact that burrata cannot be frozen should not hinder you from experiencing the cheese in all its glory. Remember to store it in your refrigerator properly and you should have a cheesy blast!
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