Mozzarella Cheese

There are a wide variety of cheeses which can be used as pizza toppings, but there is hardly any cheese which can enhance the lusciousness of your pizza than a mozzarella cheese and thus it has been one of the favorites of millions. The term 'Mozzarella' is used in context of cheese that is made in Italy and is produced using the processes of spinning and cutting. Thus, any cheese that has these characteristics will be termed as 'mozzarella cheese'. With 'mozzarella' being derived from the word 'mozzare' that means "to cut", it is easy to note that it is mainly the production process that differentiates mozzarella cheese from other types of cheese. Fresh mozzarella is generally white in color and has a semi-soft consistency. The variation in the color of fresh mozzarella, to slightly yellow, is due to the seasonal change in the diet of the animal. There are a wide number of mozzarellas available in the market today. Scroll down and learn all about the different kinds of mozzarellas.

 

There are several theories regarding the history of mozzarella. According to one theory, when the Roman Empire was declining, the Goths started to move to Italy and brought buffalos with them. But soon, after the outbreak of malaria, the area was deserted. However, during the 18^th century when people started to inhabit the place they were pleasantly surprised when they found buffalo in the region and had grown exponentially in numbers. The buffalo were domesticated again and started to use buffalo-milk as an alternative to cow-milk. Soon, the people started to produce dairy products including butter and mozzarella cheese.  However, another theory states that in around 1000 AD, the Normans brought the buffalos to Italy when they moved from Sicily and started to settle in Italy.

 

Being high in moisture content, fresh mozzarella cheese is traditionally served the day on which it is made. However, in case of later requirement, the cheese can be stored in brine, for a period of up to a week. If the storage period has to be longer, then sealed packages are preferred. There are low-moisture mozzarella cheeses also, which can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month. Then, you can get pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella in the market, with a shelf life of up to 6 months.

 

 

Mozzarella di bufala is made from the milk of a water buffalo and sold in Europe, as 'mozzarella di bufala campana'.

 

Mozzarella fior di latte is name given to cheese that is made from fresh, pasteurized or un-pasteurized, cow's milk.

 

Low-moisture mozzarella is made from whole or part skim milk. It finds maximum use in the foodservice industry. These types of mozzarella’s can be stored in refrigerators for almost a month; however there is some low-moisture mozzarella’s available in the market which can be preserved for six months.

 

Mozzarella can be smoked, either in a smoking chamber, with intense smoke, or by "painting" with a liquid smoke. Smoked mozzarella offers a great flavor especially if used in combination with pancetta, wild mushrooms and caramelized onions etc.

Burrata cheeses are available in Italian grocery stores and have gained immensely popularity in the western countries recently. Burrata is nothing but a ball of hard mozzarella with a creamy center. It goes well with tomatoes, pizza and prosciutto etc.

 

Mozzarella has become an everyday product and is available in store in a number of varieties.  All the different kinds of mozzarella cheese have been mentioned in the lines above, read and familiarize yourself with all sorts of mozzarella cheese.