
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese with a delicate consistency, usually white in colour, but occasionally yellow or brown due to the enzyme R110. It is made using the pasta filata or 'stretched-curd' method, where the curd is pulled and twisted, and originates from southern Italy. The cheese is produced using Italian buffalo's milk, or cow's milk, and is typically sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey. Fresh mozzarella is often formed into balls, and has a firm but elastic texture, while burrata is a type of mozzarella with a solid outer layer and a creamy, spreadable interior.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Fresh mozzarella is white, but can occasionally be yellow or brown due to the enzyme R110 |
| Texture | Firm but elastic; can be sliced without losing its shape |
| Consistency | Delicate; can be stretched and kneaded |
| Sound | Makes a distinct squeaky sound when chewed or rubbed |
| Shape | Usually a ball of 80-100g or 6cm in diameter, but can be up to 1kg or 12cm in diameter; when twisted into a plait, it is called treccia |
| Taste | Mild, creamy, and milky |
| Variants | Mozzarella di bufala (buffalo's milk), Mozzarella fior di latte (cow's milk), Mozzarella pecorella (sheep's milk), Mozzarella tradizionale (any type of milk), Mozzarella di bufala campana (Italian buffalo's milk) |
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What You'll Learn
- Fresh mozzarella is white, but can be yellow or brown due to the enzyme R110
- Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese
- It is produced by twisting it into a plait, which is called treccia
- It is made from cow's milk or buffalo milk
- It is usually sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey

Fresh mozzarella is white, but can be yellow or brown due to the enzyme R110
Fresh mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese that originated in Southern Italy. It is typically white in colour and is made from cow's milk or buffalo milk. The cheese gets its name from the Italian word 'mozza', which means 'cut', or 'mozzare', meaning 'to cut off', derived from the method of working. It is a type of pulled curd or pasta filata cheese, which refers to the process of stretching and kneading the curd mass to produce a delicate consistency.
Fresh mozzarella is known for its creamy, milky, and mild flavour. It is often sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey and should be consumed within a few days of opening. The fresher the mozzarella, the better it tastes. It is a versatile cheese that pairs well with sweeter flavours like cantaloupe and tomatoes, as well as more savoury dishes like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
While fresh mozzarella is typically white, it can occasionally have a yellow or brown hue due to the presence of the enzyme R110. This enzyme is naturally occurring and is responsible for the colour variation in the cheese. The colour variation does not affect the taste or quality of the mozzarella, but it is important to note as it may be unexpected for those familiar with the typical white colour of fresh mozzarella.
Mozzarella is widely used in Italian cuisine and is a favourite among those who try it. It is often used in dishes such as pizza, lasagna, and Caprese salad, where it is served with sliced tomatoes and basil. The cheese is also enjoyed on its own, as it has a mild flavour and a delicate, elastic texture that can be sliced or torn without losing its shape.
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Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese
Mozzarella is known for its smooth, shiny, and elastic texture, which allows it to be stretched and kneaded into various shapes. When twisted into a plait, it is called treccia. Fresh mozzarella is typically sold in small balls or rolled into larger ones, ranging from 80 to 100 grams (or even up to 1 kilogram) in weight. It is often packaged in water or whey and should be consumed within a few days of opening.
The colour of mozzarella is usually white, but it can occasionally have a yellow or brown hue due to the enzyme R110. It has a high moisture content, which gives it a distinct squeaky sound when chewed or rubbed. This high moisture content also means that fresh mozzarella is best served the day after it is made, although it can be stored in brine for up to a week or longer in vacuum-sealed packages.
Mozzarella is a versatile cheese commonly used in Italian dishes such as pizza, lasagna, and pasta. It pairs well with sweeter flavours like cantaloupe and tomatoes, as well as more savoury dishes. Fresh mozzarella is considered superior in taste and is often preferred by cheese enthusiasts.
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It is produced by twisting it into a plait, which is called treccia
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese with a firm but elastic texture. It is produced by twisting it into a plait, which is called treccia. This process is generally known as pasta filata or the stretched-curd method. The cheese is prepared with cow's milk or buffalo milk, with the latter being more expensive and difficult to find.
Mozzarella di bufala campana, made from Italian buffalo milk, is a protected designation of origin (PDO) under European Union law and UK law. It is produced in specific regions of Italy, including Campania, Lazio, Apulia, and Molise. The cheese-maker kneads the curds by hand until a smooth, shiny paste is formed. They then pull out a strand and cut it into individual pieces of mozzarella.
Fresh mozzarella is typically sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey and should be eaten within a few days of opening. It is often rolled into balls ranging from 2.8 to 4.7 inches in diameter. The cheese is known for its mild, creamy, and milky flavour, pairing well with sweeter flavours like cantaloupe and tomatoes, as well as more savoury dishes like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
Mozzarella is also used in traditional Italian dishes such as lasagna and Caprese salad, where it is served with sliced tomatoes and basil. It is a versatile cheese that can be melted or torn and spread evenly in warm dishes. The fresher the mozzarella, the better it tastes.
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It is made from cow's milk or buffalo milk
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese that originated in southern Italy. It is made from either cow's milk or buffalo milk. In Italy, the cheese is produced using Italian buffalo milk under the government's official name, mozzarella di latte di bufala. Italian buffalo are present in all Italian regions, but only selected mozzarella di bufala campana PDO is made from the milk of Italian buffalo raised in designated areas of Campania, Lazio, Apulia, and Molise. This variety holds the status of a protected designation of origin (PDO: 1996) under European Union law and UK law.
Mozzarella made from cow's milk is called mozzarella fior di latte or simply mozzarella. It is the more common and affordable option, and it is easier to find in stores. Mozzarella made from Italian buffalo milk is called mozzarella di bufala campana or mozzarella di bufala. This variety tends to be more expensive and difficult to find.
In addition to these two main types, there are other variants of mozzarella made from different sources of milk. For example, mozzarella pecorella, made from sheep milk, is typical of Sardinia, Lazio, and Abruzzo, where it is also called mozzapecora. Turkish cheeses such as Çaycuma and Kandıra mozzarella are also made from buffalo milk.
The type of milk used can affect the taste and texture of mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella made from cow's milk has a mild flavour and a firm but elastic texture, allowing it to be sliced without losing its shape. On the other hand, mozzarella made from buffalo milk, such as the traditional Italian variety, is known for its rich flavour and creamy, milky texture.
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It is usually sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese with a delicate consistency. It is usually sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey. This fresh mozzarella is sold in several different sizes, typically in the form of a ball, and can be sourced from either cow's milk or buffalo milk. The latter is often more expensive and difficult to find.
Fresh mozzarella is white, but the occasional yellow or brown colour comes from the enzyme R110. It is a type of pulled curd or pasta filata cheese, which is a term referring to the process of stretching and kneading the cheese. The cheese-maker kneads the curds by hand until a smooth, shiny paste is formed, which is then pulled and cut into individual portions of mozzarella.
Mozzarella is usually sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey to maintain its high moisture content. This type of fresh mozzarella is best eaten soon after opening and should be consumed within a few days. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or used in a variety of dishes. It pairs well with sweeter flavours like cantaloupe and tomatoes, as well as more savoury dishes like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.
The packaging of fresh mozzarella in water or whey is essential to preserving its characteristic high moisture content. This moisture contributes to the cheese's soft and elastic texture, making it ideal for melting and spreading evenly in warm dishes. The water or whey also helps to extend the shelf life of the cheese, allowing it to be kept refrigerated for a longer period compared to low-moisture mozzarella.
Mozzarella, derived from the southern Italian dialects, is the diminutive form of 'mozza', meaning 'cut', or 'mozzare', meaning 'to cut off'. The term was first mentioned in a 1570 cookbook by Bartolomeo Scappi, and its history can be traced back to the 12th century in the Monastery of San Lorenzo, in Capua, Campania.
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Frequently asked questions
Fresh mozzarella is white, creamy, and shiny. It is usually sold in small plastic containers or bags filled with water or whey.
Fresh mozzarella pairs well with sweeter flavours like cantaloupe and tomatoes, and is also used in more savoury dishes like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. It is also served with sliced tomatoes and basil in Caprese salad.
The cheese-maker kneads the cheese with their hands until a smooth, shiny paste is formed. The paste is then pulled and cut into individual pieces of mozzarella.
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, semi-aged cheese that melts and spreads evenly when used in warm dishes.
When twisted to form a plait, mozzarella is called treccia.

























