Everything about Mozzarella
Where does this name come from?
Traditionally, mozzarella comes in various shapes: balls, small bites or braids. They are made from a plastic cheese mass that is heated, kneaded and stretched until it obtains a characteristic „thread-like” consistency. Then it is cut and given the proper shape. This is where the name of the cheese comes from. Because in Italian „mozzare” means „to cut”.
The first trace
The oldest document in which the name „mozzarella” appears comes from the 16th century and was written by the papal chef Pietro Andrea Mattioli. It was written that it was prepared according to an „old recipe”, hence it can be assumed that it had a long tradition even then.
Not only from buffalo milk
Traditional mozzarella was produced in the south of Italy in the Campania region. Only the milk of Mediterranean buffaloes was used for its production. Their milk, compared to cow’s milk, contains twice as much protein and fat. In the 1940s, mozzarella began to be made from cow’s milk in the north.
Sometimes "fior di latte"
Nowadays, mozzarella is most often made from cow’s milk or a mixture of cow and buffalo. Mozzarella made from cow’s milk was called „fior di latte” to distinguish it. Nowadays, some dairy plants and pizza producers still use this old name.
The most important Italian export product
Mozzarella is one of the most famous cheeses in the world. It is known not only in Europe, but also in the most remote corners of the world, such as New Zealand or South Korea. Interestingly, Italians are only third in the world ranking of mozzarella lovers. Americans eat the most of it.