Sunday, July 18, 2010

Flavor And History Combine In Mozzarella Di Bufala

By Kaitlin Vaughn

Mozzarella di Bufala stands alone among other cheeses for its richness of flavor and smooth texture. This unique cheese now compliments many Italian dishes and is used by the best chefs throughout the world. While Italy lays claim to this cheese, it is now produced in many countries throughout the world.

Other cheeses are made from dairy cattle's milk. This particular kind of mozzarella, however, is made from the Asian water buffalo's milk. No one knows for sure how these Asian bovines came to Italy, but people suggest that perhaps the Goths first brought the animals to Italy. Regardless, Italian cheese makers soon began using the animals' milk for making cheese. Buffalo cheese became renowned for its delicious flavor and smooth texture.

So desirable is this cheese now that Asian water buffalo are now farmed for the specific purpose of making cheese. Their milk, though, is too rich and unusual in flavor for people to drink or use in cooking or to cover their cereals. It cannot be used in the same manner as regular cow's milk. But it is perfect for making mozzarella. This cheese offers a high amount of minerals A and B, protein, calcium, and fat to those who eat it. The mozzarella has these nutritional qualities because the animals graze on grass.

Italy has become world famous for this particular type of cheese. As a matter of fact, Italian buffalo mozzarella brings the country as much as $430 million in revenue. The cheese made in Italy is most often made in the region of Campana. The Campana cheeses are protected by trademark and no other mozzarella made anywhere else in the world can call itself by the region's name. This product joins other notable cheeses such as Asiago and Gorgonzola in its protection by trademark.

That is not to say that other countries do not also produce this kind of cheese. In fact, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, and other countries all produce buffalo mozzarella. All of the countries, too, use the milk of water buffalo, and not dairy cows, to make their cheese.

Many Italian dishes feature this kind of mozzarella. These dishes include pasta, calzones, salads, pizza, and grilled breads. Markets who sell this dairy product sell it in its raw form, usually submerged partially in water and wrapped in cellophane or cheese cloth. Selling it in this manner guarantees the cheese's freshness.

Chefs and food enthusiasts throughout the world seek out Mozzarella di Bufala. The cheese comes from an unusual animal, but it is renowned for its unique flavor and rich texture. Because the cheese can be used in many dishes, it is frequently found in many Italian menus.

Mozzarella di Bufala

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