The stretch. The sheen. The sheer pleasure of the cheese can make or break the whole pizza experience. Explore the performance levels of key mozzarella formats and other exceptional cheese options.
Make it with mozzarella
Oil (butter fat) and moisture levels have a huge impact on how a cheese melts and performs overall. Bella Bello by Shamrock Foods sources a full selection of preferred mozerella options so you can find the perfect blend.
What causes browning?
Browning is caused by the sugar in the cheese caramelizing.
Whole milk vs. part skim
Whole milk
- Richer, buttery flavor
- Less blistering
- Outstanding stretch
- Melts quicker
- Softer texture, smooth, creamy flow
- Has tendency to clump
- More oil on top
Part skim
- Milky flavor
- Good stretch, but tight pull (more resistant)
- Less oil release
- Browns quicker
- Shred while cold
- Firmer melt, texture
- Less flow, more chew
How cheese format affects performance
LOAF
Shredded
Diced
Performance
The loaf form allows for higher moisture and absence of added starch/anti-caking agents, which increases performance.
Excellent coverage. optimum performance compared to block
Slightly less coverage than shreds and more potential for pinpoint blisters.
Convenience
More prep time shredding. Manual portion control.
Highest convenience, lowest labor. Blends come pre-mixed for optimal performance.
Easier to portion, though slightly less precise than shreds.
Shelf Life
Shortest shelf life of all the options
Longer window of optimum performance compared to block
Longer window of optimum performance compared to loaf.
Pizza Cheese vs. Mozzarella
“Pizza Cheese” contains an added ingredient, modified food starch, to help control moisture and fat release during cooking.
The test of a good cheese
Pay attention to:
- Blistering
- Oiling
- Melt Coverage
- Stretch *Test with a fork – More is better! It should start to break at 8 to 10 inches
- Taste & Flavor
You know you have the right cheese with Villa Frizzoni®.
California-Made Mozzarella Cheese
- Crafted from a generations-old recipe
- Smooth texture and even melt
- Delicate creamy taste and pale, ivory color complements other flavors
- Suited for all pizza applications
- Produces a reliable stretch
- Available Whole Milk or Skim Loaves, Diced, Shredded, Blended
Wisconsin-Made Part-Skim Shredded Mozzarella
- Rich dairy flavor
- Excellent stretch
- Consistent melt
Pizza Cheese
- Good texture
Mild flavor
While pizza’s perfection lives in its simplicity, pizza lovers do appreciate some effort. If you’re looking to add pizza to your menu, check out Bella Bello’s catalog of ingredients and speak to one of our specialists to start making some dough.
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