Mozzarella Cheese vs Soft Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese is a soft, creamy cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo-milk cheese from Italy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk.
What Is Mozzarella Cheese?
Mozzarella is a semi-soft, non-aged cheese from southern Italy, made by stretching and kneading the curd. Cow's milk versions are called fior di latte, buffalo milk versions mozzarella di bufala, and it tops most pizza.
What Is Soft Cheese?
Soft cheese is the moisture category at the wet end of the scale, holding 55 to 80 percent moisture against its dry weight. It covers soft-ripened cheeses like Brie and Camembert, some blue and pasta filata cheeses, and fresh cheeses, and it is known for being spreadable.
What's the Difference Between Mozzarella Cheese and Soft Cheese?
- Milk type: Mozzarella Cheese (cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk), Soft Cheese (cow, goat, sheep)
- Texture: Mozzarella Cheese (Soft, creamy), Soft Cheese (spreadable, smooth to runny)
- Rind: Mozzarella Cheese (None), Soft Cheese (bloomy white mold rind, or washed)
- Aging: Mozzarella Cheese (Eaten fresh), Soft Cheese (unmatured to about 1 month)
- Taste: Mozzarella Cheese (Mild, milky), Soft Cheese (mild)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Mozzarella Cheese | Soft Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | — |
| Specific Origin | Southern Italy | — |
| Milk Type | Cow's, goat's, sheep's or water buffalo's milk | Cow, goat, sheep |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | — |
| Texture | Soft, creamy | Spreadable, smooth to runny |
| Rind | None | Bloomy white mold rind, or washed |
| Aging | Eaten fresh | Unmatured to about 1 month |
| Taste | Mild, milky | Mild |
Taste Comparison: Does Mozzarella Cheese Taste Like Soft Cheese?
Mozzarella Cheese reads as mild, milky, while Soft Cheese brings mild character. Aging plays into this as well. Mozzarella Cheese at eaten fresh develops a different profile than Soft Cheese at unmatured to about 1 month.
Can You Substitute Mozzarella Cheese for Soft Cheese?
Mozzarella Cheese can stand in for Soft Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, creamy bite and body where the recipe calls for spreadable, smooth to runny. Flavor-wise, Mozzarella Cheese reads as mild, milky while Soft Cheese brings mild notes.
Which Is Better, Mozzarella Cheese or Soft Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, creamy cheese, go with Mozzarella Cheese. For a spreadable, smooth to runny profile, Soft Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Mozzarella Cheese suits recipes that want mild, milky notes, while Soft Cheese fits dishes calling for mild.
Which is your favorite?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mozzarella Cheese the same as Soft Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk; Soft Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Mozzarella Cheese is typically aged eaten fresh, Soft Cheese unmatured to about 1 month.
Is Mozzarella Cheese similar to Soft Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Mozzarella Cheese for Soft Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Mozzarella Cheese taste like Soft Cheese?
Mozzarella Cheese reads as mild, milky, while Soft Cheese is mild.
What is Mozzarella Cheese made of?
Mozzarella Cheese is made from cow, goat, sheep, or buffalo milk (pasteurized), using calf's or microbial rennet. It's typically aged eaten fresh. It originates in Italy.
What is Soft Cheese made of?
Soft Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk. It's typically aged unmatured to about 1 month.
Which should I choose, Mozzarella Cheese or Soft Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Mozzarella Cheese is soft, creamy, while Soft Cheese is spreadable, smooth to runny.