What is Buffalo Mozzarella? [Key Facts and a Recipe]

What is buffalo Mozzarella? It is one of the wonders of the Italian cuisine that comes from the bufala Mediterranea Italiana (Italian Mediterranean buffalo). It is also called buffalo Mutz. It is cheese from buffalo milk. However, the buffalo version of the Mozzarella cheese is superior to the cow version.

If you would like to experience the goodness of the Italian Buffalo Mozzarella with totality, get acquainted with it. But how? Gather as much information as possible about it. Let us discuss some of the things you need to know about Buffalo Mozzarella.

Mozzarella di Bufala

It is a cheese that Italians make from domesticated water buffalo milk. The milk from a buffalo has a higher level of protein and calcium than milk from a cow. Also, buffalo’s milk has a lower Cholesterol level than cow’s milk. 

This type of cheese has a soft, granular, and semi-elastic structure. It is also moist and has a sour taste. During its production, curd heats up until you can stretch it and mold it into different shapes. Next, the cheesemakers cover it with an edible rind. Lastly, they put it in brine for one week and then package it in vacuum-sealed packages. 

Some examples of the food you can serve with this cheese include pasta, vegetables, and salads. 

What is Buffalo Mozzarella, and What is it Made From?

The Italians started consuming Italian water buffalo milk in the early twelfth century. However, buffalo Mozzarella became popular in Southern Italy in the mid-eighteenth century. During this time, cheesemakers produced only small quantities of Mozzarella cheese. 

When making buffalo milk Mozzarella, you’ll need 11 lbs. (5 kg) of buffalo milk to make 2 lbs. (1 kg) of the cheese. Also, you’ll have to follow the following procedure:

1. Collect buffalo milk in steel containers.
2. Heat the milk and then pour it into a cream separating equipment.
3. Introduce natural whey to curdle the milk.
4. Allow the milk to curdle and attain a 4.95 PH.
5. Pour hot water on the curd to make it soft.
6. Shape the curd using a rotating machine.
7. Immerse the curds in cold water to cool off.
8. Immerse in original whey for the curd to pickle.
9. Use thin films for packaging your cheese.

What Can You Make with Water Buffalo Mozzarella?

The list of what you can make with the buffalo cheese is endless. You can also opt to go out of your way and try out a new recipe. Before you create your recipe, try making the following dishes using Mozzarella cheese:

Lasagna

Placing thin slices of buffalo Mozzarella between pasta sheets creates tasty lasagna. You can also opt to substitute burrata with Mozzarella when making your favorite lasagna dish. The cheese always melts graciously in baked dishes. 

Pizza

To make pizza, order frozen dough, crushed tomatoes, basil, and buffalo Mozzarella. The ingredients will result in the most traditional pizza you have ever tasted. 

Bruschetta

If you adore a fancy toast, you should try Bruschetta Mozzarella. You can opt to roast tomatoes, olive tapenade, or prosciutto and apply your buffalo Mozzarella. You can enjoy them cold or warm. 

Eggs

Regardless of your egg recipe, adding buffalo Mozzarella makes your eggs extra delicious. So, placing the Mozzarella between your egg and bread or tossing it on your omelet makes a big difference. 

Roasted Vegetables

Do you know that roasting vegetables brings out their all-natural sugars? For example, serving roasted vegetables over your buffalo Mozzarella creates finger-licking bites.

Spinach, Herbs, and Peas Salad

Get your snap peas, spinach, and basil. Dress them with lemon juice, salt, and olive oil. Use Bufala Mozzarella as a topping. You will end up with one of the best-tasting salads.

The Difference Between Buffalo Mozzarella and Ordinary Mozzarella?

Buffalo Mozzarella is a rare gem. So, you have to look for it and pay extra to buy it. The reason behind the high cost of buffalo Mozzarella is its softer, creamier, and extra-flavored nature that other types of Mozzarellas lack. Also, milk from a buffalo has a fat level that is double the fat level of cow milk. So, expect Buffalo Mozzarella to stand out from the rest always. 

Where Does Mozzarella di Bufala Come From?

Italians produce this cheese under strict Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) rules. The Italian regions that produce the cheese are Campana, Foggia, and Paestum. 

Did you know that Buffalo Mozzarella from Campana has protected status from the EU? This is why it is impossible to find most of its production outside Campana.

How to Store Buffalo Mozzarella

Fresh buffalo mozzarella is the best. So, eat your bufala mozzarella soon after buying it. If you cannot consume it right away, ensure your room temperature is 64-77 °F (18-25 °C). Note that you can only store it under room temperature for two days. So, if you can, eat it within 24 hours.

When storing your Buffalo Mozzarella, ensure that you keep it immersed in its whey liquid. Such a move will keep your Mozzarella hydrated. It also preserves its consistency and taste. 

If you buy refrigerated Mozzarella, immerse it in warm water for ten minutes. The trick helps your Mozzarella get to room temperature to have the best flavor. 

Interesting Facts About Mozzarella di Bufala

The Origin of the Name Mozzarella 

Its Italian name, Mozzarella, comes from the word “mozzarella,” which means to cut off. For over 500 years, farmers have had to cut the curd into pieces when making Buffalo Mozzarella. 

Buffalo Milk is Double the Quality of Cow Milk

A ton of buffalo milk produces 24 kg (10.8 lbs.) of Mozzarella, and a similar volume of cow milk produces 13 kg (5.85 lbs.) of cheese. 

EU-Protected

You cannot make buffalo Mozzarella from materials you have not imported from Italy. Also, you cannot make the Mozzarella in any other way apart from the Italian way. Lastly, you cannot use the name Mozzarella or mimic it on products that have curd products from abroad. 

You Can Also Call it Fiordilatte

Some expert pizza makers call it buffalo Mozzarella fiordilatte, which means cow-milk Mozzarella. Of course, they are wrong, but they use the term on Buffalo Mozzarella anyway. 

It is Not a Slimming or a Weight Addition Remedy

Buffalo Mozzarella is not low-fat cheese. It comes from whole milk. Mature cheese, however, is watery and has fewer calories. 

Use Serum to Preserve Buffalo Mozzarella

Use salted whey to preserve your buffalo Mozzarella. If you use milk, the cheese will lose its flavor. Also, whenever cheesemakers drain the serum and leave the cheese in the upper part of a fridge, they prevent the baking dough from becoming soggy. 

Never Freeze Your Buffalo Mozzarella

If you transit your buffalo cheese from -18 degrees to room temperature, it changes its flavor. The cheese also acquires a powdery texture. 

Timeless Caprese Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella Recipe

Time: 20 minutes

Serving Size: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Nutritional Facts

Calories: 295 kcal

Carbohydrates: 18 g (0.04 lbs.)

Protein: 20 g (0.04 lb.)

Fat: 17 g (0.04 lb.)

Saturated Fat: 10 g (0.02 lb.)

Cholesterol: 59 mg (0.001 lb.)

Sodium: 1,058 mg (0.02 lb.)

Potassium: 830 mg (0.02 lb.)

Fiber: 4 g (0.01 lb.)

Sugar: 11 g (0.02 lb.)

Vitamin A: 1,030 IU

Vitamin C: 38.2 mg (0.0008 lb.)

Calcium: 506 mg (0.01 lb.)

Iron: 4.3 mg (0.00009 lbs.)

Equipment Needed

• 1 Cheese slicer
• 1 Chopping board
• 1 Kitchen knife
• 1 Serving dish

Ingredients

• 300 g (0.6 p) Buffalo Mozzarella cheese
• 4 Tomatoes (Peeled, seeded, and sliced San Marzano tomatoes)
• 8 Basil leaves (fresh)
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Ground pepper and salt to taste

Instructions

1. Drain buffalo Mozzarella from the serum and cut it into not-too-thin slices.
2. Arrange the tomato and Mozzarella slices alternately to form a concentric ring on your serving dish.
3. Top up with the basil leaves, drizzle the oil generously, and season with pepper and salt to taste. 
4. Cool it for a few minutes or serve immediately. 

Go Ahead, Milk my Day!

Now that you know much about buffalo Mozzarella, it is time to find where to buy buffalo mozzarella and place your order. You can even find an Italian eatery and order a delicious Bufala Mozzarella dish. So, if you love trying out recipes, hunt for Mozzarella cheese and try it for yourself in your kitchen. Regardless, any Buffalo dish will tickle your taste buds!