Many ingredients can go on a pizza, but few are as a consistently present as mozzarella. When you think of taking a bite of your favorite pie, the stringy, gooey cheese is likely pictured clearly in your mind. But how and why did this topping end up being king of the pizza cheeses?

How Did Mozzarella Get Its Start?

Like pizza, mozzarella originated in Southern Italy. It is traditionally made using buffalo’s milk that has been warmed and allowed to curdle. The curds are then cut (“mozza” or “mozzare”) into small pieces, and the whey is drained off.

After the curds have rested for a while, they undergo a process known as pasta filata, which involves kneading the curds while they are in hot water to give them a soft, elastic, and fibrous structure. The cheese is then typically eaten in a day or two. 

Today, most mozzarella found in stores in the United States is made from either cow’s or goat’s milk to produce a more low-moisture cheese. Buffalo mozzarella found in delis and specialty stores is usually imported from Italy or South America and will have a special label. 

Generally, mozzarella is sold in either small curds or large balls or logs housed in brine and tightly sealed to retain moisture. When eating, you can identify the cheese by its stark white color, though it sometimes has a tinge of yellow; fresh, milky flavor; and soft, elastic texture.  

Why Is Mozzarella the Preferred Choice for Pizza?

It’s not just that mozzarella and pizza both originate from the same part of the world. There are many kinds of cheese to choose from, but mozzarella’s high water content, elasticity, and stretchability allow it to outperform practically all of them when the pie undergoes the baking process. 

Most notable is mozzarella’s browning ability. The Maillard Reaction is a chemical process that happens when amino acids and reducing sugars in the same food are exposed to temperatures between 280 and 330 degrees Fahrenheit. This browning reaction gives outer ingredients, like the cheese on your pizza, their distinct, bold flavor while maintaining the soft and moist texture underneath. Although other cheeses can develop some degree of browning on the top or around the edges, they are no match for the high-browning and even distribution of mozzarella.

If you are craving melted, stringy, cheesy goodness thrown together with your other favorite pizza ingredients, head to The Pizza Haven in Rhinelander, WI. For over 50 years, this family-owned Italian restaurant has used the freshest ingredients to serve made-from-scratch pizzas. View the full menu on their website, and call them at (715) 362-5942 to place a carryout order.