Mozzarella Cheese - No Real Italian Pizza Should Be Without It
- Date: 2007-01-29 - Word Count: 323
Share This!
This Italian cheese has long been associated with the pizza as a topping that is as essential as tomatoes. However, it was never an ingredient for traditional pizza as made in the Greek colony of Naples centuries ago, and it's history is not a relatively long one. In fact it has been mentioned by name in cookbooks from the 16th century.
The name mozzarella comes from Southern Italy, and from the words "mozzare" which literally means to "cut off", and "mozza" which means "cut" and describes the method by which mozzarella is made. It is not actually one particular kind of cheese but applies to several kinds of Italian cheese made by spinning and cutting it. Made from either cows' milk or buffalo milk, fresh mozzarella does not keep any longer than 24 hours. Of course we know that we can buy it today with a variety of stabilisers in it to last, refrigerated, for many days.
During production, as the old nursery rhyme reminds us, curds and heated whey are mixed in large sterilised containers. This thick mixture is then subject to stretching and kneading, almost like bread dough, to produce a uniform and delicate consistency. The cheese maker will keep doing this until a smooth, almost shiny, paste is achieved. The final part of production involves forming the mozzarella cheese into ball shapes or sometimes into a plait. Whilst we are more used to a rubbery consistency with our shop-bought mozzarella, made from pasteurised cows' milk, when cooked on the pizza, the Italians would not tolerate this, preferring instead a much softer consistency.
As with many dishes originating from a particular place and culture, there is a proper way for doing things. Using fresh made mozzarella in Italian cooking is the only acceptable method in Italy, although for our fast food chains and for the sake of speed and ease we will no doubt continue to have rubbery mozzarella on our takeaway pizzas!
The name mozzarella comes from Southern Italy, and from the words "mozzare" which literally means to "cut off", and "mozza" which means "cut" and describes the method by which mozzarella is made. It is not actually one particular kind of cheese but applies to several kinds of Italian cheese made by spinning and cutting it. Made from either cows' milk or buffalo milk, fresh mozzarella does not keep any longer than 24 hours. Of course we know that we can buy it today with a variety of stabilisers in it to last, refrigerated, for many days.
During production, as the old nursery rhyme reminds us, curds and heated whey are mixed in large sterilised containers. This thick mixture is then subject to stretching and kneading, almost like bread dough, to produce a uniform and delicate consistency. The cheese maker will keep doing this until a smooth, almost shiny, paste is achieved. The final part of production involves forming the mozzarella cheese into ball shapes or sometimes into a plait. Whilst we are more used to a rubbery consistency with our shop-bought mozzarella, made from pasteurised cows' milk, when cooked on the pizza, the Italians would not tolerate this, preferring instead a much softer consistency.
As with many dishes originating from a particular place and culture, there is a proper way for doing things. Using fresh made mozzarella in Italian cooking is the only acceptable method in Italy, although for our fast food chains and for the sake of speed and ease we will no doubt continue to have rubbery mozzarella on our takeaway pizzas!
Related Tags: italian, recipe, make, chef, cookery, history, cheese, fresh, pizza, made, mozzarella
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Feel Refresh With Durable Sports Bottle
Almost every person in this world is addicted to sports. Whether it is an indoor or outdoor sport, e - Types and Designs of Cookie Cutters
Cookies are everyone's favorite snack. No matter what time of day, it seems that it becomes the ulti - Fun Cookie Treats For Everyone
There are some foods that most people don't outgrow or take off their favorites list even after deca - How To Have The Perfect Halloween Party
Traditionally more popular in America, over the past 10 years Halloween has wormed its way into Brit - Come and Get It, The Pizza is Here
If one were to ask two different people what they wanted for fast food, more than likely one of them - The Perky Healthy Benefits Of Tea
A sip in the morning, while reading your newspaper just makes your day complete. Most people's under - 3 Key Factors of a Good Bar
The process of elimination combined with a list of "pros" and "cons" is used by many people to make - Remembering Those Favourite Sweets From Our Youth
It's safe to say that quality never goes out of fashion and just as those favourite Top 40 hits of y - Top 5 American Sweets Of All Time
America is famous for producing many things, from fantastic films through entertaining sports to glo - Recommendations For Creating Extraordinary Biryani
Good biryani is all over the place, but fantastic biryani can be quite tough to come across. Too man
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Spices Thai Food Galangal, Nutmeg Tree And Krachai
Galangal Scientific name:Alpinia galangal (L.) Willd. Family:ZINGIBERACEAE Vernacular name:Kha Gala - The Little Things in Life: Food Presentation
While it may seem silly, the appearance of a little radish rose on my salad plate has the power to t - Popular Malaysian Fruits
Malaysian fruits are becoming very popular with an increasing number of people. Some of the more pop - Not The Usual Super Bowl Theme Party . . . Celebrate Backwards Day Instead!
While it seems that 99% of the United States (OK, the world) plans to either throw or attend a Super - How Long Should I Let My Bread Rise
It depends. The best way to tell if the dough has risen enough is not by time-though it helps to se - Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe
The simple ingredients used are ketchup, warm honey, lemon's juice, butter, Louisiana sauce, white v - A Bakers Guide To Chocolate
What's the difference between bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate? Can I use Dutch cocoa i - Red Grapes Are Not Just For Jelly!
As a continuation to, "White Grapes are as Different as Apples and Oranges," red grapes are very muc - High Altitude Breads
Can you make bread and buns in the mountains? We got a call from California this week, "I can make - Tips For Great Pizzas
A pizza made at home should be better than a commercial pizza. You get it fresh from the oven made w
