Dry mozzarella cheese in no time: quick and easy tricks!

1. Drain in the refrigerator

The easiest and most immediate method to remove water from mozzarella cheese is to drain and dry it. Here's how to do it:

• Remove the mozzarella from the package and cut it into pieces of the desired size.
• Place the mozzarella pieces in a fine-mesh strainer and cover with plastic wrap.
• Allow to drain for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

2. Cut and let stand

To remove excess water from mozzarella cheese, you can also try this method:

• Cut the mozzarella into the desired shape (slices, cubes or strips) and place it on a plate lined with paper towels.
• Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, changing the paper towels every 10 minutes.

3. Pressure with a weight

For quick and effective removal of excess water, you can also subject the mozzarella to gentle pressure. Here's how to do it:

• Wrap the mozzarella in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and apply a weight (another bowl filled with water for example).
• Leave the mozzarella under pressure for at least 15 to 20 minutes for best results.

4. Squeeze the mozzarella cheese

To quickly and significantly reduce the water content of mozzarella cheese, especially when cut into slices, manual wringing can be done.

• Wrap the mozzarella in a clean, absorbent cloth and subject it to gentle twisting.
• Squeeze the cloth to remove the water.
• Repeat the operation three to four times.

It is recommended that this operation be done gently to preserve the texture of the product.

5. Dry salting of mozzarella cheese

In addition to reducing moisture, dry salting enhances the flavor of mozzarella. In fact, salt not only absorbs water, but also penetrates the cheese paste, enhancing its flavor. Here's how to do it:

• Dust the surface of the mozzarella cheese with fine salt (without overdoing it).
• Let the mozzarella rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature so that the salt will absorb some of the moisture.

When is it important to remove water from mozzarella cheese?

Removing water from mozzarella cheese is essential in several culinary situations. Here are the most common ones:

• Pizza: Excess moisture in mozzarella cheese can turn your pizza into a culinary disaster. The water released from the mozzarella will make the base soft and chewy, compromising the crispness of the crust. To avoid this, we recommend that you drain the mozzarella well before using it or employ specific techniques to remove excess water

• Lasagna and other baked preparations: When mozzarella cheese releases too much water during baking, lasagna (or parmigiana) is at risk of becoming soggy, with the sheets falling apart and the sauce losing body. This excess liquid can also impair the formation of a tasty crust on the surface.

• Salads: For the perfect salad, mozzarella should be dry and flavorful. If too watery, it can make the dish less inviting, soaking the other vegetables and diluting the dressing. To avoid this, we recommend draining the mozzarella well before using it, perhaps wrapping it in paper towels for a few minutes.

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