Ranging from ricotta cheese to mascarpone cheese, both of them are extremely popular in Italian cuisines and have become an important part of delectable recipes, particularly in desserts like cannoli. It’s needless to say that both these cheese varieties have a great impact on cannolo’s texture and flavor. So, if you want to understand the stark differences, ricotta vs. mascarpone cannoli in this article will be a great help!
Mascarpone Cannoli vs. Ricotta
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is commonly known as Italian cream cheese, which is basically rich and creamy cheese that’s made from cow milk and has a higher butterfat content. It is made with the addition of citric acid or tartaric acid, such as lemon juice. It was first made in the Renaissance era in Northern Italy and has become a key ingredient for cannoli filling as well as tiramisu. The high-fat content of mascarpone leads to a creamy and rich texture, which is why it’s similar to cream cheese.
It is used as a base for cannoli filling and is known to have higher heat sensitivity. In addition to cannoli filling, mascarpone is also used in cheesecake and tiramisu and can be used in pasta and pizza as well. Since it has a higher fat content, it has a smooth and creamy texture, which reflects in cannoli filling as well. Mascarpone cheese has a lower moisture content, which is why it goes well with cannoli filling, even if it has to be refrigerated for a while.
Mascarpone cheese is made with the addition of acid to pasteurized cow milk, which results in coagulation of milk to form solids and curd, which is then packed as cheese. Mascarpone cheese has a milky and sweet flavor, which is pretty similar to burrata cheese or mozzarella cheese. It has a creamy and smooth texture, which mixes well with the filling.
When it comes down to the application, mascarpone is great for cannoli filling but can be used for cheesecake and tiramisu as well. On top of everything, it has an ivory color and can be easily poured with a spoon. Ricotta cheese has a higher protein content but the calorie count is limited.
Ricotta
Ricotta is the most common variety of cheese used in cannoli filling, ranging from sheep ricotta to cow ricotta. It is a soft and fresh white cheese that’s made from whey. Whey is basically the water-based part of whole milk, which is separated from the curd during cheese production. Whey is brought to the boiling stage, which results in coagulation and the formation of soft cheese. Having said that, it’s used for filling cannoli and ravioli. However, it’s also used for cheesecakes and lasagna.
Ricotta cheese originates from Italy and is a low-fat cheese that’s known for its lumpy and watery consistency. For the most part, it has a grainier texture. However, ricotta is also available in an American version, which is made from whole milk and it’s churned to prevent the loss of texture. This cheese version has a higher fat content but it’s still less than mascarpone. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that ricotta cheese is very versatile.
It has a watery and grainier texture, which is why you need to be extremely careful while using it as a filling. In particular, the moisture content of ricotta cheese works great with recipes that are softened with additional water, which is why you should add it to cannoli just before serving. When it comes down to the production, it has whey, which results in higher protein content. While the texture is grainy, there are various ways to smoothen it out.
It has a slightly sweet flavor with acidic undertones. In addition, it has a fluffy and light texture, which is why it’s added to pasta and lasagna as well. Similarly, it can be used in savory as well as sweet recipes as it has easier spreading. Moreover, it can be grated on the food and has a milky white appearance. Last but not least, it has a low protein count but the calorie count is pretty high.
The Bottom Line
Cannoli is a delicious Italian dessert and the filling needs cheese to enhance the richness. Ricotta is on the grainier side while mascarpone has a creamier and smoother texture. For this reason, you cannot use them interchangeably!