Consorzio di Tutela
Conference on Buffalo Mozzarella and Milk Products
The Consorzio di Tutela of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP
Established in 1981, it has made the attainment and registration of the denomination of origin possible.
It represents the only body recognized by the Department for Agricultural Food and Forestry Policies for the safeguard, control, valorization and promotion of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP.
Since 1 July 2016, the Consorzio di Tutela’s headquarters are at the Regie Cavallerizze del Palazzo Reale in Caserta, thanks to a collaboration agreement – for the first time in Italy – between the Department for Cultural Affairs and Heritage and the prime agricultural producers. The headquarters of the Consorzio inside the Reggia di Caserta represents a ‘return’ to its origins: in effect, the Bourbons developed the first experimental dairy and a buffalo farm with stable records where every animal received a name that referenced personalities from the Court.
Central-Southern Italy: Campania (provinces of Caserta, Salerno, Naples and Benevento); Lazio (provinces of Latina, Frosinone and Rome); province of Foggia (Apulia); district of Venafro (Molise).
The provinces of Caserta and Salerno represent around 90% of the DOP certified production. There are 3 National Parks (Circeo, Cilento and Gargano) in the DOP area and up to 10 Regional Parks.
If the presence of the buffalo in Italy goes back to before the year one thousand, the first historic documents show that, in the twelfth century, the monks from the San Lorenzo in Capua monastery used to offer a cheese called mozza or provatura, accompanied by a slice of bread, to the pilgrims arriving in the processions.
‘‘
An Interesting Fact
The word ‘mozzarella’ derives from the verb ‘mozzare’ [to cut off], which consists in manually cutting off the stringy curd with the thumb and forefinger.
DOP
This is the only mozzarella on the market to have obtained the European DOP recognition. The production regulations require the exclusive use of fresh, full fat buffalo milk from the farms in the DOP area. Around 4 liters of buffalo milk are required to make 1 kg of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana.
It is particularly nutritious at 288 kcal/100 g., with the presence of 17 g. of protein, 24 g. of fat, above all unsaturated fatty acids and short chain fatty acids that can be easily transported in the blood rather than kept in adipose deposits; cholesterol is no greater than 50/60 mg., less than meat and eggs and far below the maximum limits of the World Health Organization = 300mg/day. There is very little lactose, less than 0.4 g.
How to recognize it
In stores
Only if the product is packaged with the brand marks of the Consorzio di Tutela, of the DOP and the wording ‘Mozzarella di Bufala Campana’, as well as those required by legislation.
On the table
By checking its porcelain white color, its smooth surface, its initial elastic consistency which then becomes melting, while when cut there is an emission of whitish serum with the perfume of milk fermentation and a taste that is distinctive but delicate
It is advisable to eat it on the same day as it is bought. Otherwise, it should be kept in a cool place (10° ÷ 15°C), still immersed in its own liquid. If placed in the refrigerator, it should be taken out some good time before being eaten so that it can be served at room temperature and its true flavor can be enjoyed.
The word ‘mozzarella’ is considered by international food legislation as a generic expression (like pizza, pasta, etc.), used throughout the world for products without any links to historic, cultural and artisan traditions. The DOP brand has permitted the original product, its territory and, above all, its unmistakable flavor to be known but, more importantly, it has permitted the consumer to distinguish non certified mozzarellas from the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana which is subjected to a vast number of controls, from the buffalo farming to consumer sales. In effect, only those dairies that pass the demanding certification procedures can obtain the DOP brand. Subsequently, these firms are continuously monitored by analyses which can guarantee compliance with the regulations and the high qualitative standards of the retailed products.
The Mozzarella di Bufala Campana is the most important PDO brand in central-southern Italy. 55 million kg of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana were produced in 2022, of which 41% were exported, mainly to France, Germany, Great Britain, the United States.
Sponsoring Institution
> Learn more
> Learn more
