Varieties of mozzarella are distinguished by the milk used:mozzarella fior di latte when prepared with cow's milk andbuffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala in Italian) when the milk of theItalian buffalo is used. Genetic research suggest buffalo came to Italy by migration of river buffalo from India in the 7th century CE.[1]: 179–180
Fresh mozzarella is generally white but may be light yellow depending on the animal's diet.[2] Fresh mozzarella makes a distinct squeaky sound when chewed or rubbed.[3] Due to its high moisture content, it is traditionally served the day after it is made[4] but can be kept inbrine for up to a week or longer when sold invacuum-sealed packages. Low-moisture mozzarella can be kept refrigerated for up to a month,[5] although some shredded low-moisture mozzarella is sold with a shelf life of up to six months.[6]
Mozzarella, derived from the southern Italian dialects spoken inApulia,Calabria,Campania,Abruzzo,Molise,Basilicata,Lazio, andMarche, is the diminutive form ofmozza, 'cut', ormozzare, 'to cut off', derived from the method of working.[7] The term is first mentioned in 1570, cited in a cookbook byBartolomeo Scappi, reading "milk cream, fresh butter, ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella and milk".[8] An earlier reference ofMonsignor Alicandri is also often cited as describing mozzarella, which states that in the 12th century the Monastery of San Lorenzo, inCapua, Campania, Alicandri offered pilgrims a piece of bread withmozza.[9]
Fresh mozzarella has been recognised as atraditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) since 1996 in theEuropean Union.[10][11] It is usually sold rolled into a ball that weighs around 90 grams (3.2 oz) and measures about 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter, although they may be as large as 1 kg (2.2 lb) and have a diameter around 12 cm (4.7 in). It is soaked insalt water (brine) orwhey.
In Italy, the cheese is produced nationwide using Italian buffalo's milk under the government's official namemozzarella di latte di bufala, becauseItalian buffalo are present in all regions. Only selectedmozzarella di bufala campanaPDO is a style made from the milk of Italian buffalo raised in designated areas ofCampania,Lazio,Apulia, andMolise. Unlike other mozzarellas—50% of whose production derives from non-Italian and often semi-coagulated milk[12]—it holds the status of a protected designation of origin (PDO: 1996) underEuropean Union law[13] and UK law.[14]
A more dense mozzarella is made by addingcitric acid and partly drying (desiccated). This is often used to prepare baked dishes, such aslasagna andpizza.[15]
Fresh mozzarella balls are made in multiple sizes for various uses; often the name refers to the size.
Ovolini are about the size of a hen's egg, and may be served whole as part of a composed salad or sliced for topping a small sandwich such as aslider.[16]Ciliegine ('small cherries') are cherry-sized.[17]Perlene are the smallest commercially produced and are often added to salads or hot soups and pasta dishes just before serving.[16] These balls are packaged inwhey or water, have a spongytexture, and absorb flavours.
Bocconcini ('small mouthful'), sometimes calleduova di bufala ('buffalo eggs'), are approximately bite-sized; a common use is alternating them with cherry tomatoes on a skewer for an appetiser.[16][18] Bocconcini of water buffalo's milk are still produced in the provinces ofNaples,Caserta, andSalerno, asbocconcini alla panna di bufala, in a process that involves mixing freshly producedmozzarella di bufala campanaPDO with fresh cream. Abocconcino di bufala campana PDO is also made, which is simplymozzarella di bufala campana PDO, produced in the egg-sized format.
When twisted to form a plait, mozzarella is calledtreccia.[19]
Several variants have been specifically formulated and prepared for use on pizza, such as low-moisture mozzarella cheese.[20][21] TheInternational Dictionary of Food and Cooking defines this cheese as "a soft spun-curd cheese similar to mozzarella made from cow's milk" that is "[u]sed particularly for pizzas and [that] contains somewhat less water than real mozzarella".[22]
Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella, widely used in the food service industry, has a lowgalactose content, per some consumers' preference for cheese on pizza to have low or moderatebrowning.[23][b] Somepizza cheeses derived from skim mozzarella variants were designed not to require aging or the use of starter.[24] Others can be made through the direct acidification of milk.[24]
Mozzarella ofsheep milk, sometimes calledmozzarella pecorella, is typical ofSardinia,Lazio, andAbruzzo, where it is also calledmozzapecora. It is worked with the addition of therennet of lamb.[25][26][27]Goat milk mozzarella was invented recently, and is produced in small quantities.[28] Mozzarella is also sold smoked (affumicata).[29]
After the curd heals, it is further cut into 1–1.5 cm (0.4–0.6 in) pieces. The curds are stirred and heated to separate the curds from the whey. The whey is then drained from the curds and the curds are placed in a hoop to form a solid mass. The curd mass is left until the pH is at around 5.2–5.5, which is the point when the cheese can be stretched and kneaded to produce a delicate consistency—this process is generally known aspasta filata. According to themozzarella di bufala campana trade association, "The cheese-maker kneads it with his hands... until he obtains a smooth, shiny paste, a strand of which he pulls out and lops off, forming individual mozzarella."[33]
Large quantities of mozzarella are exported internationally.[34]
Due to its high moisture content, it is traditionally served the day it is made,[4] and food writer Arthur Schwartz describes that a Neapolitan will not eat day-old mozzarella without further processing—frying or baking into a casserole or pasta. Despite this, manufacturers market the cheese as having a week-longshelf life. As mozzarella is kept, it develops a sour flavour and softens, a process which is slower for larger cheeses.[34]
Within the city of Naples, there is a belief among part of the populace that the best mozzarella has "relaxed"; softened in the hours after being made. Schwartz reports that this does not seem to be believed by Campanians who live in the country, closer to dairy farms where the cheese is produced, where the cheese can be easily purchased while still firm.[34]
Low-moisture mozzarella can be kept refrigerated for up to a month,[5] although some shredded low-moisture mozzarella is sold with a shelf life of up to six months.[6]
Mozzarella received atraditional specialities guaranteed (TSG) certification from theEuropean Union in 1998, and in 2022 the product specification was updated for the namemozzarella tradizionale.[35][36] This protection scheme requires thatmozzarella tradizionale sold in the European Union is produced according to a traditional recipe. The TSG certification does not specify the source of the milk, so any type of milk can be used, but it is speculated that it is normally made fromwhole milk.[37]
^Galactose is a type ofsugar found in dairy products and other foods that is less sweet than glucose. Sugar in foods can lead tocaramelization when they are cooked, which increases their browning.
^abCorrell, John (30 November 2011)."Chapter 8 – Cheese".The Original Encyclopizza: Pizza Ingredient Purchasing and Preparation. Fulfillment Press.ISBN978-0-9820920-7-1.Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved1 April 2008.
^Alicandri L. (1915).Il Mazzone nell'antichità e nei tempi presenti (in Italian). p. 88.
^Regolamento (CE) N. 2527/98 della commissione del 25 novembre 1998 registrando una denominazione - Mozzarella - nell'albo delle attestazioni di specificità. Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee L 317/14 del 26/11/1998.
^"Commission Regulation (EC) No 103/2008".Official Journal of the European Communities.51. European Commission: L 31/31. 5 February 2008.Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved28 July 2014.
^"Commission Regulation (EC) No 2527/98".Official Journal of the European Communities.41. European Commission: L 317/14–18. 26 November 1998.Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved28 July 2014.
