Burrata (Maplebrook Farm)
- Producer
- Maplebrook Farm
- Country
- United States
- Region
- Vermont
- Weight
- 2, 4 or 8 oz
- Website
- www.maplebrookvt.com
- Milk
- Cow
- Classification
- Soft
- Rennet
- Vegetable
- Rind
- None
- Style
- Fresh
Pasta Filata (mozzarella-type)
Maplebrook Farm was founded in 2003 after a chance encounter. Founder, Johann Englert, came across Al Ducci's Groceria in Manchester, Vermont during a visit and when she tasted their mozzarella, it transported her back to her time in Italy during college. Johann immediately bought 20 pieces of the mozzarella since she knew she couldn’t get anything that good in Boston, where she lives. After returning home, she contacted the Al Ducci’s and spoke to the owner’s son, Mike Scheps, who happened to be the cheesemaker and asked him if he could supply her in Boston with the curd to make their own mozzarella. With an answer of yes, the agreement was in place and Maplebrook Farm was born. Today, Maplebrook Farm is a major producer of artisanal cheese on the east coast. It employs around 20 cheesemakers, who are each trained in old world cheesemaking techniques. The Farm sources its rBGH free milk from small family farms throughout Vermont to make their line of mostly Italian cheeses. Mike still is the head cheesemaker for the majority of their cheeses, but as of 2010 now has help from Domenico Marchitelli, who makes the Burrata and Scamorza. Domenico hails from Puglia, Italy, the birthplace of Burrata. Maplebrook Farm’s Burrata is made using the traditional techniques of a stretched curd cheese, very similar to Mozzarella, pulled into a sheet. The sheet of cheese then has fresh cream and stracciatelli (shreds of Mozzarella curds) placed in the center. The sheet of stretched curd is then wrapped around the filling and pinched off at the top. The result is a ball of cheese that when cut, spills its creamy contents onto the plate.
Tasting Notes
Burrata’s flavor is of fresh milk, with textural layers varying from the snap of the outside skin of stretched cheese to the soft cream interior. This cheese is perfectly paired with fresh tomatoes with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Or it can also be paired nicely with fresh figs sprinkled with a touch of salt.
Pairings
Prosecco is the suggested wine pairing for Maplebrook’s Burrata.
