Burrata, a rich and creamy variation of mozzarella

Rich and creamy — two words that everyone wants to indulge in when they dine out at a restaurant, right? Burrata cheese, mozzarella stuffed with cream and often additional shredded mozzarella, is an increasing favorite on both casual-dining and upscale-dining restaurant menus, seamlessly subbing in for mozzarella by adding a softer, more luxurious and fresh appeal.

Burrata is being featured on menus in dishes like salads, pizzas, and pastas, as well as being paired with seasonal produce and artisanal breads as an appetizer or shared dish. The demand for premium, high-quality dairy products and Mediterranean flavors are helping to drive burrata’s growth in popularity.

According to market research firm Datassential, burrata is found in 8.6% of U.S. restaurant menus, up more than 30% over the past four years. Awareness is highest among vegetarian and Asian consumers.

Click through the above gallery to learn more about this cheese and to see how one Idaho restaurant is using it on a salad.