The term mozzarella derives from the procedure called mozzare which means "cutting by hand", separating from the curd, and serving in individual pieces, that is, the process of separation of the curd into small balls. It is appreciated for its versatility and elastic texture and often called "the queen of the Mediterranean cuisine", "white gold" or "the pearl of the table".
The buffalo mozzarella sold as Mozzarella di Bufala Campana has been granted the status of Denominazione di Origine Controllata DOC
The DOP definition
The protected designation of origin, better known by the acronym DOP, is a mark of legal protection of the name which is given by the European Union to foods whose peculiar characteristics depend essentially or exclusively from the territory in which they were produced.
