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Did you know we make fresh cheese in our stores? Our cheesemongers make fresh stretched mozzarella in our cheese islands several times a week. This week’s tip talks about how we do this and why it’s so much better than other mozzarella options you find in our stores.
How is mozzarella stretched?
It starts with mozzarella curds that have been cubed, salted, and covered in hot water. Once the curds have been warmed by the water, the proteins in the cheese begin to ‘knit’ together. As our cheesemongers stretch the cheese, they’re helping those proteins line up nice and straight, which lends to the silky, stringy texture you notice with freshly pulled mozzarella.
Why does Harmons do this?
Freshly stretched mozzarella is smoother, silkier, and fresher tasting than the products we get that are pre-stretched. Pre-stretched mozzarella tends to have lower moisture content than fresh mozzarella, giving it a denser texture.
How should you use it?
Although delicious, cheese is a source of saturated fat, so it’s best to stick to eating these foods in moderation. Here are two quick, delicious appetizers to try:
- Simple caprese tray: Slice mozzarella and tomatoes, then top with basil olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Baked mozzarella bites: Slice mozzarella into long strips. Dip them into a whisked egg, then dredge in panko. Bake at 425° for 3 minutes or until the cheese is softened and thoroughly heated.