I'm trying to locate a supplier of really good ricotta, the type that isn't sold in green tubs beside the sour cream in the supermarket...any one know a good name for me? I'd also love to get my hands on Burata, that divine soft cream filled buffalo mozzarella! Swoon.

Griz, have a look at the Grinning Gecko Cheese Co. website. While I haven't tried their ricotta, I have tried some of their cheeses which were very good, in fact they have won several awards.

They are based in Whangarei but have a network of distributors mainly in the North Island.

Regards,

Barbara Anne

Zany Zeus ricotta is very good and fairly widely available.

I quite like Puhoi Cheese ricotta. I buy it in 1kg tubs from Gilmours.

I have made my own - it is pretty easy actually. I used a Mad Millie Kit as I bought one intending to get very creative but stopped at ricotta.

Nelson's Viavio [www.viavio.co.nz] make excellent ricotta, and other specialist Italian cheeses. Not sure how widely available they are - but I think Farro Fresh in Auckland stock them.They make a cow's milk burrata, delicious stracchino and boccancini, plus others I haven't yet tried.

In Auckland La Cigale stock burrata and ricotta by Italian Cheeses, who mostly make cheese for restaurants. I've also heard good things about Zany Zeus ricotta. I feel lazy not making my own as I know it's really easy.