Can I freeze fresh mozzarella?

[Luv to Cook]

Hi Everyone,

I bought a huge tub of fresh mozz. for a get-together we had yesterday and I have so much left over. Can I freeze it without negatively affecting the quality and flavor?

Thanks!

Anita

[catharine]

I don't know the answer. But if the answer turns out to be no, you can't freeze it, I live nearby:D and was just thinking about buying some fresh mozzarella. Hint, hint...

What did you use it for at your get-together?

[GayeC]

I would like to know the answer too. I am planning to make some fresh mozzarella this weekend. It's only the second time I have tried making it, and the first time I had some extra and let it go to waste. Gaye

[cchhbb]

According to Cooking Live on the food channel, fresh mozzarella can be frozen. A couple of weeks ago, Sara had a woman on who owned the Mozzarella company in Dallas and this was a call-in question. This person recommended wrapping the cheese well in plastic wrap -- not a ziplock against the skin of the cheese and putting it in the freezer. I'm sorry, but I don't remember her defrosting instructions.

On a related note, I always put cheese in ziplock bags when I place them in the fridge. She stressed not to do this, but to wrap with plastic wrap. This will keep air away from the cheese. So now, I wrap with plastic wrap and then ziplock.

[kirkbyky]

GayeC- If you're using the 30-min mozarella Kit, the booklet says that you can freeze it--but it doesn't give thaw instructions--probably in the fridge for a day or two should do it.
Kyle

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I will try it and let you know how it goes! Catharine, come right over...I have enough to feed the neighborhood! I cut clices of the mozz and placed them on slices of red and yellow tomotoes and then topped them with fresh basil, salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar and served it with country bread....sooo good!

Anita

[funnybone]

I don't freeze many things, but mozzarella is one of them. I hate the pre-shredded type, and I buy a big block of it for the kids for pizza at Costco. I have frozen it in 4" x 2" x 2" pieces (approx) and then grated it. I take the piece out in the morning, and when I need it later in the day, it can be grated and isn't frozen.
I have also frozen some grated cheese as well (but I don't recommend it as it changes the texture, I think).

To freeze, I just wrap the pieces in plastic wrap, and then I put them in a ziplock bag.

I also saw that lady on Cooking Live and she gave her website out as www.mozzco.com . I wrote it down, but have not visited it.

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for the website funnybone. I checked it out and here's what they had to say about cheese:

Cheese should be stored in the refrigerator between 34 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The colder you store the cheese, the longer it stays fresh.
Cheese is most flavorful when served at room temperature, so unwrap the cheese and leave it out of the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
All cheese should be tightly rewrapped in fresh, clean plastic wrap after each use.
Dates found on our cheeses indicate the day we pasteurized the milk and made the cheese.
Generally, our perishable cheeses remain fresh for two to three weeks. Fresh mozzarella, goat cheese and mascarpone may be frozen so that they can be kept for longer periods. They should be defrosted slowly in the refrigerator prior to use.

So I will be freezing my fresh mozz!
Anita

[Luv to Cook]

FYI everyone,

I just defrosted a fresh mozzarella ball that I had previously frozen and it works wonderfully. Just defrost it slowly in the refrigerator. I did not notice any texture or flavor change. So I can continue to buy a huge tub of it at Costco!

Anita

[Canice]

On a related note: A friend just asked me whether she needs to change the water in her mozzarella daily (like you'd do with tofu) if she's not going to use the rest of it for a few days. I think I remember reading that, but I also think I remember reading that when you buy it, there's more than just water in the packaging. So what if you want to keep it in the 'frige for a few days??