Mozzarella cheese
Mozzarella is one of America's most popular cheeses. This
cheese originates from Italy and its name is thought to come
from the Italian verb of 'mozzare' which means to cut. This
is because of the method in which this cheese is made as the
mixture is kneaded as if it where bread and then is cut and
spun into balls or twisted into plaits.
Authentic Mozzarella is made from buffalo's milk and is smooth
and pearly white in color. Mozzarella is quite a soft cheese
and unlike most cheeses does not need to be aged so can actually
be eaten on the same day that it is made. In fact freshly
made mozzarella is often the best tasting as mozzarella using
buffalo milk has a very short shelf life and at most lasts
only for two days after it has been made.
Mozzarella made from cow's milk is also available and is yellowy
in color and not as moist or fresh tasting as that made with
buffalo milk. However, you cannot really compare the two in
terms of quality or say that one is better than the other
as they are simply two different cheeses and it is purely
a matter of personal preference.
There are several different varieties of mozzarella cheese
so as well as mozzarella made using cow's milk or the traditional
buffalo milk you can also get stuffed and smoked mozzarella.
The traditional mozzarella di bufala is mild and milky in
taste and is delicious on chicken or in salads or simply spread
thickly on fresh crusty bread.
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