If you enjoy these cute little balls of cheese, as I certainly do, have you ever wondered how mozzarella pearls are made?
How are they all manufactured to be the same size?
Is it the same method as making the larger mozzarella balls?
What can you do with mozzarella pearls anyway?
Do mozzarella pearls melt, so you can put them on pizza?
So many questions about such a small thing!
Let’s get to the truth about mozzarella pearls!
Mozzarella pearls typically weigh less than 10 grams each and are made in the same way as the larger balls of cheese. Once the mozzarella has been formed from the pasteurized cow’s milk, it is either hand-rolled or placed in molds to ensure the pearls are a consistent size. Mozzarella pearls vary between 8 and 27 mm in diameter. They are popular in restaurants, as with them all being the same size, portion control is easily maintained. Their uses include salads, canapes, pizza, antipasti, and pasta dishes. Mozzarella pearls have a high-fat content, which ensures they melt quickly and evenly, ideal for pizza.
Mozzarella Pearls: How Are They Made?
I absolutely love these cute little mozzarella pearls and have found so many uses for them.
But it was only recently that I started wondering how they are made, so that’s why I looked into the subject!
The actual cheesemaking process is exactly the same as when making the larger mozzarella balls.
Using either cow’s milk or buffalo milk, curds are formed using rennet, acid, and live cultures.
This results in curds, which are drained and then immersed in hot water.
The mozzarella is stretched and formed into a large ball and then further divided into pearls.
The best mozzarella is created by hand.
Now, you may have noticed that when you buy your mozzarella pearls, that they are all the same size, so is there an industry standard?
Not specifically, but you will find that they never weigh more than 10 grams or have a diameter of more than 27 mm.
The fact that the size and weight are consistent in each packet or container makes them a favorite in the restaurant industry.
The cost of each portion can be measured accurately, and each dish will look the same, which is important in terms of presentation.
What Can You Do with Mozzarella Pearls?
If you are wondering what to do with these tasty little morsels, there are lots of uses for mozzarella pearls.
One of my favorites is to use them in a quick, simple Caprese salad.
No slicing is required, and you can find some brands that marinate the mozzarella in basil for that essential Italian flavor!
Mozzarella, as you know, is an essential ingredient for pizza, and there is no problem using pearls for this purpose.
As they are made in the same way as full-sized mozzarella balls, they have the same high fat content that makes them melt just as easily.
You can add mozzarella pearls to any pasta dish or include them on an antipasti board.
They would be great for making small canapes, and if you buy the plain version, you can marinate the mozzarella pearls in ingredients of your own choosing to add a unique twist.
A few of my favorite dishes include Caprese Pastry Bites, Pesto Chicken Kebabs, and Chicken Parmesan Meatballs.
Maybe I will share my recipes in another article!
Marinated Mozzarella Pearls
Final Thoughts
Mozzarella pearls are made in exactly the same way as the full-sized balls.
They are typically a uniform size, weighing no more than 10 grams, with a maximum diameter of 27 mm.
Restaurants often use them as it is easy to control portion size and work out accurate costings.
Mozzarella pearls have many uses, including salads, pasta dishes, and as canapes.
They are ideal for pizzas as they have the same high-fat content as full-sized mozzarella and melt easily.
Earlier on, I mentioned that one of the benefits of using these cheese pearls is that you don’t have to cut them.
If you are using the full-size cheese, you might need to read my article on the correct way to slice mozzarella.