Find the most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat Stracciatella cheese and tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.

how to serve and eat stracciatella

What Stracciatella etiquette is

Stracciatella etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat Stracciatella cheese. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow the etiquette rules to serve it to your guests appropriately.

If you are a guest, respect etiquette rules to properly eat and enjoy it.

What you should know about it

Stracciatella di bufala is a fresh cheese from Italy. It is a typical product from Apulia, in southern Italy.

Stracciatella is made from Italian Mediterranean buffalo milk. It is milky white in color. Its texture is soft and creamy. The flavor is delicate, with slightly acidic notes.

Etiquette tips to serve and eat Stracciatella

1) How to store Stracciatella

It is best to eat Stracciatella as fresh as possible. Eat it within 1 or 2 days after it is made. After 3 or 4 days, it loses its texture and flavor.  

Store Stracciatella in the fridge. After opening it, keep it in its container. Seal it with plastic.

Do not store Stracciatella in the freezer. Freezing makes its texture and taste noticeably worse. 

2) How to clean Stracciatella

You do not need to wash Stracciatella. Serve it and eat it as it is.

If you notice a foul smell, or if the color is turning yellow, Stracciatella has gone bad. Discard it immediately. Do the same if you notice mold on its surface. 

3) How to cook Stracciatella

It is not ideal to cook Stracciatella. Cooking it makes its taste and texture significantly worse.  

Instead, you can add it fresh to any recipe before serving. It is common to add Stracciatella to pasta, pizza, salads, or sandwiches. 

4) How to serve & present Stracciatella

Serve Stracciatella at room temperature or slightly chilled. Take it out of the fridge between 15 minutes and 1 hour before serving. The longer you keep it at room temperature, the softer it gets. Do not keep it out of the fridge for over 1 hour. Otherwise, it risks losing its texture.  

It is best to serve Stracciatella as an appetizer. You can also serve it as a side dish. It is less common to serve it as a main, accompanied by a salad.

Serve Stracciatella in a serving cup or on a soup plate. If you serve it on a flat dish, its cream may overflow. Present it with a serving spoon and fork. 

Accompany Stracciatella with bread or focaccia. You can season it with olive oil, oregano, and cracked pepper. Its flavor is slightly salty, so it is not common to add salt.

5) Food and wine to pair Stracciatella with

Stracciatella goes well with Italian charcuterie. Such as Prosciutto Crudo and Bresaola. It matches well with beef Carpaccio. It is a perfect ingredient for salads and it pairs well with tomatoes. 

Pairings with fruit, honey, or jams are unusual. It is uncommon with fish and seafood too. However, it can go well with some fish dishes, such as grilled tuna.  

You can pair Stracciatella with sparkling wine. Such as Champagne or Prosecco. White wine, such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, or Grüner Veltliner. Light-bodied red wine, such as Pinot Noir. Avoid pairings with a full-bodied wine.

6) How to eat Stracciatella

Eat Stracciatella with a fork. Using a knife is not common but acceptable. Avoid eating it with a spoon. Do not eat it with your fingers.

Another way to eat it is to put it on a piece of bread or on a cracker.

Stracciatella etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst etiquette mistakes. 

  • 9/10. Serving spoiled Stracciatella.
  • 7/10. Eating it with your fingers.
  • 5/10. Pairing it with too-strong flavors.
  • 2/10. Serving it on a flat dish.

Additional information for properly serving Stracciatella

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

Stracciatella contains 397 calories per 100 grams. One teaspoon is usually 5 grams and contains 20 calories. An average chunk is around 20 grams and contains 80 calories.

How to buy the best Stracciatella

A crucial factor in Stracciatella etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Season and availability 

Stracciatella is available all year round. 

Choose the best

The best Stracciatella must come from Apulia. It must be made from buffalo’s milk. Ideally, you should buy it and eat it the same day it is made. Fresh Stracciatella is bright white in color. It should have a delicate smell.

Alternatives to Stracciatella

The most common alternative is Burrata, which is Stracciatella and cream wrapped in Mozzarella di Bufala

FAQs

What is the difference between Burrata and Stracciatella?

Burrata is a soft cheese made of three different products. Its outside is made of Mozzarella. Its inside is a mix of cream and Stracciatella.

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