Best Italian Soft Cheese Types
Burrata, literary meaning buttered, is an artisan cheese from the Puglia region of Southern Italy, especially the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani. The cheese is made by hand with cow's milk, rennet, and cream. It is believed that the cheese was created by Lorenzo Bianchino Chieppa, a cheesemaker who had an idea to form a shell of stretched mozzarella strings and fill it with luscious, rich cream and smaller, leftover pieces of mozzarella.
The result was a true delicacy with the creamiest interior and a rich flavor of fresh milk, which very quickly became extremely popular. Burrata should be eaten as fresh as possible - ideally within 24 hours of being made. It can be served alone, seasoned only with some salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, but it is also delicious when accompanied by fresh tomatoes and prosciutto crudo, or when used as a topping for pizzas or bruschettas.
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VARIATIONS OF Burrata
THE BEST Burrata Cheeses
Though there are many buffalo mozzarella cheeses made with a combination of buffalo and cow's milk, to be labeled as such, the genuine mozzarella di bufala campana must be made from 100% domestic water buffalo milk and produced either in Campania or the neighboring Lazio, Apulia and Molise regions.
Buffalo milk is known to be higher in calcium and protein while lower in cholesterol, which makes this mozzarella cheese particularly prized and sought after. Buffalo mozzarella always comes packaged in brine; it has a mild yet slightly sour taste, and goes well with various Italian antipasti dishes, especially with classics like the Caprese salad.
THE BEST Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Cheeses

Mozzarella is a fresh, soft, stretched curd cheese, made with whole cow's milk. Due to the fact that it has a fragrant aroma of fresh milk and a delicate creamy flavor, mozzarella is traditionally paired with light white wines. This Italian classic originates from the region of Campania, but nowadays it is produced all across the country.
The cheese is made with water buffalo's milk or cow's milk, when it's often referred to as mozzarella fior di latte (in order to distinguish it from water buffalo milk mozzarella). The ancient tradition of making mozzarella cheese dates back to the 4th century BCE, however, the first official reference to its name was found in a 1570 cookery book by Bartolomeo Scappi, a famous Renaissance chef.
Pair with
VARIATIONS OF Mozzarella
THE BEST Mozzarella Cheeses

Rumiano Cheese Company
Organic Smoked Mozzarella
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place 2018, 2016


Stracciata is an artisan Italian cheese produced in Molise. It is made from cow's milk. The curd is cut or torn, and it is then stretched into ribbons that can be folded or braided. Although stracciata is usually snow-white, in spring and summer it develops a yellowish hue.
On the outside, it is buttery, mild, sweet, fresh, and slightly salty, while the inside is milky and piquant. The cheese melts in the mouth easily, leaving notes of warm melted butter on the palate. The name stracciata is derived from the verb stracciare, meaning to tear.
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THE BEST Stracciata Cheeses
Stracchino di crescenza is an Italian cheese that is typically made with cow's milk, but it can also be made with water buffalo's milk. The texture of stracchino is creamy and buttery, so it's often used as a spread. The flavors are mild, fruity, creamy, and sweet.
Although it is nowadays associated with the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, and Veneto, it was first produced in Lombardy's Po valley. It's recommended to serve stracchino with fresh fruit or cold cuts and pair it with a glass of fruity white wine.
THE BEST Stracchino di Crescenza Cheeses
Gorgonzola dolce is a traditional variety of Gorgonzola cheese. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's left to age for at least 45 days before consumption. Underneath its natural moldy rind, the texture is creamy, with blue veins running throughout the paste.
The aromas are mild and milky, while the flavors are creamy, mild, sweet, and buttery, unlike the Gorgonzola piccante cheese. It's recommended to pair Gorgonzola dolce with Vin Santo or Champagne.
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THE BEST Gorgonzola dolce Cheeses
Made from cow's milk, in particular, mozzarella and cream, Burrata di Andria is popularly known as 'the queen of cheeses'. It originates from Apulia, namely the town of Andria, and although Burrata has been produced only since 1950s, it has already become an Italian classic, despite its relatively short history.
The outer shell of this fresh cheese is solid mozzarella, while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving this masterfully created delicacy an unusual, soft texture. Burrata has a delicate yet rich flavor of fresh milk and it is most often served seasoned with just salt, pepper and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil but it also pairs beautifully with bruschettas topped with prosciutto, figs, tomatoes and various fresh vegetables.
Ricotta di Bufala Campana is a product obtained through the processing of the 'first whey' (sweet) obtained in the cheese-making process which uses milk from the Mediterranea Italiana buffalo breed. The production area is within the provinces of Benevento, Caserta, Naples and Salerno in Campania; the provinces of Frosinone, Latina and Rome in the Lazio region; the Province of Foggia in the Apulia region and Isernia in the Molise region.
Since the arrival of buffalo in Southern Italy in the XVI century, the production of Ricotta di Bufala Campana and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana has been very closely linked. Ricotta di Bufala Campana is different from other ricotta cheeses due to its creamy consistency, softness, color and sweet milky aromas, characteristics which are given to the fact that buffalo whey is richer in fats and free from lipase, an enzyme that can influence the sensory properties of fat.
Caprino is a goat’s milk cheese made throughout Italy - the name derives from the Italian word capra, meaning goat. There are two main varieties of caprino: fresco (fresh) and stagionato (aged). A fresh version is aged for two to four days, it has a nice, soft, creamy texture and round or cylindrical shape.
Aged version is left to mature up to 6 months and during that period the cheese develops much saltier, tangier flavor and turns the color from white to yellow, sometimes even reddish. Caprino can be enjoyed on its own, served with fruit, or as an ingredient in first courses or salads.
VARIATIONS OF Caprino
THE BEST Caprino Cheeses
Provola is an Italian cheese that's essentially the smaller version of Provolone. The cheese is made from cow's milk and originates from Campania. This pasta filata cheese is typically immersed in brine, and some of the cheeses are smoked (known as Provola affumicata) before being hung to dry for at least 4 months.
The flavors can vary from mild and sweet to very sharp, depending on the aging period and the region. Apart from being available in plain and smoked varieties, Provola can also be found in various elongated shapes. The name of the cheese is derived from pruvula or pruvatura, an ancient tradition in which the priests who had assembled at the convent of San Lorenzo in Capua were offered cheese on a piece of bread as a proof of its good qualities.
Best Italian Soft Cheese Producers
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Latteria Moro Di Moro Sergio Cheeses
Nuova Castelli, based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, specializes in the production and distribution of Italian cheeses, including PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Gorgonzola. The company was established in 1892 and has expanded its operations internationally, exporting Italian cheeses to various markets around the world.
Nuova Castelli supports traditional cheese-making techniques while also implementing modern technologies to ensure quality and sustainability.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Nuova Castelli Cheeses
The company "Perla" was founded in Nichelino around the mid-20th century. For generations, it specialized in producing, ripening, and refining traditional Italian dairy products, with a focus on maintaining a family-like atmosphere. Perla’s products are rooted in the fertile pastures of Piedmont, where ideal conditions for raising sheep, goats, and cows contribute to high-quality milk.
The company emphasizes that its success lies in its meticulous cheese production process, which follows the highest standards of excellence and a slow, 100% natural maturation process. This dedication to tradition and quality ensures the authenticity of their cheeses.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023, 2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2022
BEST Perla Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021

Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Caseificio Il Fiorino Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2022

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Casale Roccolo Cheeses
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2021

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021

Italian Cheese Awards - Nominee
2020
BEST Arrigoni Battista Cheeses
AWARDS

Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
BEST Caseificio dei Barbi Cheeses
Best Italian Soft Cheeses
Tatie Vermouth cheese is a soft cheese, made from cow's milk and has a creamy texture with a slightly tangy flavor. The cheese is typically wrapped in a natural rind, which may develop a light bloom. Tatie cheese is often enjoyed on its own, spread on bread or crackers, or paired with fruits and nuts.
It’s a great addition to cheese boards and can also be used in various culinary dishes.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
Fiocco di Capra by Marenchino is an Italian goat cheese. Known for its soft texture and mild, delicate taste, it is crafted from goat's milk and offers a light, creamy experience. The name "Fiocco di Capra" translates to "Goat Flake," hinting at its light, fluffy consistency.
It is ideal for those who enjoy gourmet goat cheeses.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2023
Mozzarella Cheese made by Castelli is known for its high quality and authentic taste, often a result of traditional Italian cheese-making techniques. This mozzarella is typically crafted to offer a creamy texture and a delicate, milky flavor, making it an ideal choice for a variety of dishes such as pizza, salads, and pasta.
Castelli takes pride in sourcing premium ingredients to ensure a consistently superior product.
AWARDS

Global Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022
These cheese are placed in barrels and covered with a ruby sweet wine native to the Veneto region and left for about 30 days. Once removed they are covered with blueberries, blackberries, currants (also called 'red gold' for its colour and rarity) and left standing for maturing.
In this way the fruits in contact with the wet rind release all their fragrance and blend with the taste and smell of the sweet wine. The cheese has an intense flavor with a hint of the wine pleasantrly sour and with colourful streaks of bright red tending to purple.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
Stracchino by Arrigoni Battista is a soft, creamy cheese made from cow's milk, originating from the Lombardy region of Italy. Known for its delicate flavor and smooth texture, this cheese has a mild and slightly tangy taste, making it a versatile addition to various dishes.
Stracchino is typically enjoyed fresh, often paired with bread, salads, or used in cooking to enhance pasta and risotto.
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2022
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
AWARDS

International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 58 Italian Soft Cheeses” list until March 22, 2025, 5,509 ratings were recorded, of which 4,220 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.