An option for storing excess, or is it possible to freeze mozzarella cheese?

One of the most common Italian cheeses is mozzarella. It can be used for side dishes, in preparing salads and in creating desserts.

If there is a surplus of product left, it becomes difficult to store it. In addition, this type of cheese comes in different types, and each has its own characteristics.

Hence the main question - is it possible to freeze mozzarella cheese, and what is the best way to do it.

Is it possible to freeze?

Mozzarella belongs to the group of semi-hard cheeses. Traditionally it is made from black buffalo milk.

On sale Mozzarella can be found in three types:

• fresh, in the form of balls in brine;
• in blocks;
• crushed.

Shredded

Cheese that is sold already shredded usually contains additional ingredients that prevent caking and sticking. In most cases, such a product tolerates freezing quite well.

In brine

The cheese balls sit directly in the brine. Freezing can greatly affect the product's appearance, consistency and taste.. This is due to its high moisture content. After defrosting, the balls can be used to enrich the taste of complex dishes.

In blocks

Mozzarella blocks have a dense consistency. This cheese has a longer shelf life than pickled cheese in balls.

Freezing it is relatively easy, but changes in the structure after defrosting cannot be avoided anyway.

If you need chopped mozzarella for preparing dishes, you should take care of this in advance and chop it before placing it in the freezer.

How long to store in the freezer?

Purchased mozzarella, which is in its original packaging, can be stored for the entire period indicated on the label. After opening – only 3 days. If you don’t plan to use the leftovers right now, then it’s better to worry about freezing.

Homemade mozzarella can also be frozen. Its storage in the freezer is limited to three months if all conditions are met.

Particular attention must be paid to careful packaging, which should prevent the cheese from coming into contact with air and the rest of the contents of the freezer.

How should you freeze?

Depending on what type of mozzarella is available, the approach to freezing also changes.

Rassolnaya

Cheese balls are sold in brine. If the product is used fresh for food, then it is stored directly in liquid in the refrigerator. But in the case of freezing, it is not advisable to do this.

The most suitable storage option brine mozzarella like this:

1. Remove the balls from the container in which they were sold.
2. Dry the product.
3. If the portions are too large, it is better to cut each piece in advance. If they are small, it is better not to cut them.
4. Dry again. This is especially important if the balls had to be cut.
5. Place the pieces on a tray (cutting board or other suitable kitchen utensil) in a single layer, and place them in the freezer strictly horizontally.
6. After a couple of hours, when the cheese is sufficiently frozen, you need to take it out and put it in a plastic container with a lid or in a bag suitable for freezing.
7. The mozzarella packaged in this way is placed in the freezer.

In blocks

Mozzarella in block form was originally intended for making pizza. It has a dense consistency and contains much less moisture than the ball variety. This product tolerates freezing much better.

To make it easy to grate mozzarella, you need to proceed as follows:

1. Place the entire block in the freezer for 15-30 minutes. So that it becomes harder than initially.
2. Remove the product from the freezer and grate it.
3. Place foil on top of a baking sheet or cutting board that fits in the freezer.
4. Distribute the product as thinly as possible over the prepared surface.
5. Load it like this into the freezer in a horizontal position.
6. As soon as the cheese is frozen, you need to take it out and transfer it to a selected container. This can be a tight bag or container.
7. Seal the container tightly.
8. Move containers and bags into the freezer.

Defrosting

You can defrost cheese in various ways. The most correct option is to place it in the refrigerator on a shelf.

The smaller the pieces, the faster they will thaw.. There are also alternative options.

For example, just on the kitchen table or by placing a package of cheese in a container of cold water.After thawing, the product is blotted with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Also, in some cases, grated mozzarella can not be defrosted at all. If you need it for sprinkling, for example, pizza, lasagna, baked sandwiches, then you can take the briquette straight from the freezer and use cheese crumbs.

Thawed mozzarella should not sit in the refrigerator for long. It is advisable to use it immediately after defrosting is completed..

Conclusion

Mozzarella cheese can only be frozen when it is necessary to extend its shelf life. At the same time, it is important not to exceed the time the product is in the freezer, and to act strictly according to the accepted rules.