To make cheese, you need milk. And choosing the right milk has a major impact on a lot of the characteristics of the cheese. Read on to learn about the differences between buffalo milk cheese and cow milk cheese.
SEE ALSO: Why raw milk is the ultimate expression of time and place →
Which one is more popular?
Around the world, cow milk is the most commonly used milk in cheese making. However, in subcontinental India, some parts of Africa and even Italy, buffalo milk is the most prized milk. So, what is it that makes this particular milk so special? Let’s have a look at some of the characteristics that distinguish buffalo milk from cow milk.
How much fat is in buffalo milk?
Firstly, the fat content is different between buffalo milk and cow milk. As a matter of fact, 250ml of cow milk contains on average 8g of fat whereas buffalo milk contains 17g of fat.
Consequently, the additional butterfat content means that buffalo milk tends to be creamier. And, by extrapolation, any cheese made with buffalo milk tends to have a more luscious texture.
Difference in colour
Moreover, buffalo milk tends to be whiter than cow milk because buffaloes are more adept at digesting the β-carotene from their diet. Effectively, β-carotene is the molecule that makes milk yellow, and carrots orange. As a result, Buffalo Mozzarella tends to be whiter than Fior di Latte which is made with cow milk.
Do buffalo milk and cow milk cheeses taste different?
Well, the difference tends to be quite subtle here. Buffalo milk is slightly nuttier, with more pronounced acidic notes. In some of the more mature cheeses, you might even detect a subtle sweetness in the buffalo milk versions.
Now, tell me. Have you eaten buffalo milk cheese before? If yes, what is your favourite?
Jonah is a a hipster, eco-warrior and slow food afficionado. Coming from a scientific background, Jonah has a particular interest in cheese science. And yes, he loves a good cheese pun!
