Some people might disagree with this, but why does mozzarella cheese taste salty?
It’s usually seen as a very bland cheese with no flavor.
But there are undoubtedly some occasions when it tastes strongly of salt.
Does it matter what type of mozzarella it is?
Or if it is wrapped in plastic or preserved in liquid?
Which could be saltier – buffalo milk mozzarella or that made from cow’s milk?
Who knew that such a simple question could have so many answers, let’s find out the truth!
Mozzarella is a fresh cheese without aging or salt in its making. It has the lowest sodium content among cheeses, with only 40mg per one-ounce serving of whole-milk mozzarella. However, brine storage imparts a salt flavor. Washing can remove residual saltiness. Salt can enhance mozzarella in salads, but it may not be desired on pizza. Part-skim mozzarella has higher sodium levels.
What Makes Mozzarella Taste of Salt?
It has to be said that a lot of cheeses taste salty.
However, that is because salt is added during the cheesemaking process.
Salt is a preservative, and if cheese is going to be aged, then it requires the addition of sodium.
But mozzarella is a fresh cheese and ideally eaten as soon as possible, so salt isn’t necessary.
So, where does the saltiness in mozzarella come from?
The simplest answer is that the salt flavor is transferred from having been stored in brine.
Brine is a concentrated solution of salt and water and keeps the mozzarella fresh.
The salt is unlikely to have penetrated into the cheese and can be removed by washing or patting the mozzarella dry.
Of course, you may enjoy the hint of salt, particularly if you are going to use mozzarella in a salad.
It might not be quite appetizing on a pizza, though.
Having said that, most people use specific pizza mozzarella, and this is rarely stored in brine.
Pizza mozzarella does not have to be kept in the same way as it has a lower moisture content.
It would be unusual to find that pizza mozzarella tastes of salt, it is usually very bland in flavor.
Is Mozzarella a Low Sodium Cheese?
Despite the fact that mozzarella may have a lingering taste of salt, is it actually a low-sodium cheese?
The simple answer is yes – mozzarella, cottage cheese, and ricotta are the three kinds of cheese with the lowest sodium levels.
This is because they are fresh cheese; they are meant to be eaten as soon as possible, unlike other cheeses that are aged first.
Salt is added to most cheese as it inhibits bacteria from growing as it ages.
It also dries out the cheese, and mozzarella is meant to retain its high moisture content, not be dry.
However, this does mean that just a small piece of cheese can contain as much sodium as a bag of salted chips.
In contrast, one ounce of mozzarella typically only contains 40mg of sodium.
However, this does depend on whether it is made with whole milk, which has a lower level, or part-skimmed milk, which has more sodium.
Either way, mozzarella is certainly better for you if you need to restrict your sodium content.
Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your sodium intake.
The Best Cheese for Pizza
Final Thoughts
Mozzarella does not have any salt added during the cheesemaking process.
If there is a taste of salt, then it could have transferred to the cheese from the brine it is preserved in.
Mozzarella is a low-sodium cheese as it is intended to be eaten fresh, not requiring the use of salt to preserve it when left to age.
If the salty taste is not palatable, then the mozzarella cheese can be washed to remove it.
Remember, it’s a personal choice; maybe you actually like the hint of salt.
No matter what, you can enjoy your mozzarella without feeling guilty for over-indulging!
Maybe you have a different opinion and think that mozzarella has no taste!