FRESH MOZZARELLA CHEESE

Fresh Mozzarella is best when eaten within hours of its making, and definitely within three days. With the advent of stabilizers, commercially processed mozzarella is available, although it bears no comparison with true, fresh mozzarella.

The requirement for mozzarella to be fresh is due to high moisture content, which causes it to spoil quickly.

Mozzarella usually comes suspended in a brine or oil solution to keep the cheese moist and fresh. It is delicious melted on pizzas, sliced in rounds for salads, and in numerous other culinary applications. The cheese itself is very mild, tasting slightly tangy and slightly sweet, with strong milky overtones.

Keep fresh mozzarella in its liquid bath until ready to eat, and eat it within 2 to 3 days. Check the product dating and buy the freshest you can find, preferably same day. It becomes bitter and sour with age. Freezing is not recommended.

Fresh mozzarella is best at room temperature. Mozzarella rolls can be found with fillings of olives, prosciutto, Parma ham, sun-dried tomatoes, and any variety of herbs. The simplest and most enjoyable way to eat fresh mozzarella is as an insalata tricolour. This is salad in the colours of Italy, with white mozzarella, red tomatoes, fresh green basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil.