There are two types of Mozzarella cheese. Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and Fior di Latte. Mozzarella di Bufala Campana is made from the fresh milk of water buffaloes and is considered to be the very best type of Mozzarella. Fior di Latte is Mozzarella made from pasteurized cows milk.

Mozzarella cheese originated in Italy. There Mozzarella was primarily made using fresh buffalo milk. Many believe the first Mozzarella cheese was made when cheese curds accidentally fell into a pail of hot water. Whether by happy accident or deliberate attempt, Mozzarella cheese has grown from its simple beginnings to widespread popularity all around the world.

How to Make Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

To make fresh mozzarella cheese, you must use a process called pasta filata, which is the action of heating cheese curds in water until they form strings. This process allows the cheese to take on an elastic texture. Once the curds have had time to soak, cheese makers stretch and knead the curds until smooth. They then cut the curds and form the cheese into balls of varying size and shape and toss into cold water. This allows the cheese to maintain its form while cooling.

What are the discerning qualities of a superior fresh Mozzarella cheese? First and foremost, the taste should be clean with a strong milky flavor. It should be mild and delicate with a hint of sourness. Traditionally fresh Mozzarella cheese will be porcelain white, but can sometimes have a yellow tint due to the cows’ increased consumption of grass in the summer months. Fresh Mozzarella cheese will have an elastic and stringy texture. As the cheese ages, it will become soft and tart. For this reason, Mozzarella cheese should be consumed as fresh as possible.

Let’s take a closer look at a few types of semi-soft Italian cheeses by BelGioioso.

What is Burrata?

Burrata is made from Mozzarella but is not Mozzarella. Burrata has a solid outer shell made of fresh mozzarella, which is formed into a hollow pouch and then filled with soft, stringy Mozzarella cheese curds and fresh cream. It has a milky, buttery flavor that is rich and creamy. Its creamy texture is the most significant difference between Burrata and Mozzarella, that and the center which oozes when sliced.

What is Ovolini?

Ovolini Mozzarella or Egg in Italian is a ball of Mozzarella cheese the size of an extra large egg. One Ovolini Mozzarella ball is the perfect size for making Caprese salads for one or two people.

What is Ciliegine?

Ciliegine stems from the Italian word for cherry, so as you can guess Ciliegine Mozzarella balls are the size of cherry tomatoes. Perfect for serving fresh with cherry tomatoes or sliced in half and served with melon balls.

All BelGioioso Mozzarella products boast a soft, delicate texture. The products listed above are all gluten-free, rBST free, and vegetarian. BelGioioso was proud to be named 1st Place, Best in Class at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest in 2019 for their fresh Mozzarella.

Mozzarella cheese recipes can be found on the BelGioioso website. For these and other BelGioioso cheeses available at Mike Hudson Distributing please click here.