Tussers Cheese vs. Mozzarella Cheese

Tussers cheese and mozzarella cheese are two popular varieties of cheese that have some notable differences.

Tussers cheese is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese with a creamy, salty flavor.

Mozzarella is a soft, mild cheese made from cow's or water buffalo milk that has an elastic texture and is used extensively for melting.

Flavor and Texture

Tussers cheese has a salty, nutty flavor with a creamy yet firm texture. It becomes drier and crumblier as it ages. Mozzarella has a mild, milky flavor and a soft, elastic texture that allows it to melt smoothly when heated.

So if you prefer a stronger, tangier flavor, tussers is the better choice. But for melting applications like pizza and lasagne, mozzarella's stretchy texture makes it indispensable.

Nutrition

Both cheeses provide protein, calcium, and other nutrients, but their exact nutrition profiles differ:

So tussers offers a bit more calcium, while mozzarella contains few carbs. Overall the two cheeses have quite similar nutritional value.

Key Takeaway: Both cheeses provide protein and calcium, but tussers has a slight edge in calcium content.

Price

Tussers cheese is generally less expensive than mozzarella. As a fairly simple cow's milk cheese, tussers does not demand the premium price of hand-stretched, lower-yield mozzarella. So if you're looking for an affordable option, tussers delivers good flavor for the price.

Melting Ability

One of the main advantages of mozzarella over tussers is mozzarella's superior melting ability. With its soft, pliable texture, mozzarella melts smoothly without separating. This makes it ideal for pizza, lasagna, grilled cheese, and applications where you want melted cheese.

Tussers does not melt as beautifully due to its firmer texture. It can become oily and separate when melted. So for any recipe calling for melted cheese, mozzarella is the better pick.

Use in Cooking

Thanks to its well-rounded flavor and affordable price point, tussers cheese is extremely versatile for cooking. It works well in sandwiches, omelets, salads, cheese boards, and even breaded and fried.

Mozzarella's mild flavor allows it to complement other ingredients without overpowering them. This makes mozzarella a versatile cooking cheese as well. But its superior melting abilities define its best use - any baked Italian dish like pizza, lasagne, chicken parmesan, or cheesy garlic bread.

Key Takeaway: Tussers works well in a wide variety of dishes thanks to its flavor and price. Mozzarella is ideal for melting.

Production Methods

Tussers is made from cow's milk that is pasteurized then shaped into wheels or blocks for aging. Its rind is generally coated in wax or plastic. Tussers is aged for at least 3 months according to South African regulations.

Mozzarella starts by curdling fresh cow's or water buffalo milk. The curds are then stretched and molded into balls or braids, and the finished cheese is generally consumed fresh. So mozzarella has less aging compared to tussers.

Pairings

The bold salty flavor of tussers cheese pairs well with cured meats, mustard and pickles. Chutneys, jam, nuts and dried fruits also balance tussers's saltiness nicely. Beer, red wine and black coffee make fitting beverage pairings.

Due to its very mild flavor, mozzarella partners well with assertive produce like tomatoes, basil, roasted peppers and olive oil. Fresh mozzarella is often paired with these summer ingredients for an insalata caprese. Wine with bright acidity or wheat beers work nicely with fresh mozz.

Fresh vs Aged Varieties

Within the broader style, there are fresh and aged varieties of both cheeses. Fresh varieties are milder in flavor, while aged varieties intensify in taste and become drier in texture:

Fresh Mozzarella

• Very soft, springy texture
• Delicate, milky flavor
• Best consumed soon after it's made

Aged Mozzarella

• Slightly drier than fresh
• More concentrated flavor from aging
• Better melting properties

Fresh Tussers

• Creamy texture
• Mild flavor

Aged Tussers

• Drier, crumblier texture
• Intensified salty, nutty notes

So if you prefer a very mild, soft cheese, fresh mozzarella or tussers is the way to go. But for melting applications or punchier flavor for cooking, aged varieties generally perform better.

Key Takeaway: Fresh mozz and tussers have a softer texture and more delicate flavor compared to their aged counterparts.

Appearance

There are some visible differences between tussers and mozzarella cheeses:

Tussers

• Pale yellow color
• Smooth interior with occasional small openings
• Natural rind coated in wax or plastic

Mozzarella

• White color
• Compact, smooth texture
• Sold shaped into balls or braids

So at a glance, it's easy to visually distinguish mozzarella's bright white color and shaped presentation from blocks or wheels of golden tussers cheese.

In summary:

While their differences are fairly subtle, each cheese has unique strengths making it better for certain uses. Tussers shines on cheese boards or in cold preparations thanks to its complex flavor. Mozzarella's melting prowess gives it the edge in hot cooked dishes.

What About Low-Moisture Mozzarella?

There's another variety called low-moisture or aged mozzarella that bridges the gap between fresh mozzarella and tussers cheese. As the name suggests, it has some moisture content removed to make it easier to grate or slice.

So how does aged mozz compare to tussers?

While less moist than fresh mozzarella, aged mozz still melts better than tussers. It strikes a nice balance between good melting and concentrated flavor. It can be an ideal pick when you want lots of cheesy flavor but need some melting ability too.

How Long Do Tussers and Mozzarella Last?

Like any fresh cheese, both tussers and mozzarella are highly perishable. For best quality and food safety, optimal storage times are:

Refrigerator:

• Tussers: 1 week
• Fresh mozzarella: 1 week
• Aged mozzarella: 2 weeks

Freezer:

• Tussers: 2 months
• Fresh mozzarella: Does not freeze well
• Aged mozzarella: 3 months

So if you won't be using up your cheese quickly, aged mozzarella and tussers fare better in freezing compared to fresh mozz. Proper storage preserves texture and flavor.

Key Takeaway: Tussers and aged mozzarella can be frozen for a few months, while fresh mozzarella has the shortest fridge life.

What Cheeses Can You Substitute?

Thanks to differences in flavor and performance, there's no perfect 1:1 substitute between tussers and fresh mozzarella. But here are some suitable stand-ins:

Instead of tussers, try:

• Gouda
• Mild cheddar
• Monterey Jack

Instead of mozzarella, try:

• Low moisture mozzarella
• Provolone
• Swiss cheese

Choosing a substitute depends on the texture and melting qualities you need for your recipe. An aged cheese won't mimic the melting prowess of fresh mozz.

FAQs

Is tussers cheese vegetarian?

Yes, tussers cheese is vegetarian as it's made from cow's milk. It does not contain any meat products.

Is mozzarella healthy?

Mozzarella made from whole milk contains moderate amounts fat and calories per serving. Part-skim milk varieties lower fat content. Overall, mozzarella and most cheeses can be part of a healthy diet in moderation.

Can you fry mozzarella cheese?

Yes, cubed or sliced fresh mozzarella dipped in egg and breadcrumbs makes deliciously crispy fried mozzarella. Fried fresh mozz is featured in dishes like mozzarella sticks.

Is buffalo mozzarella better?

Mozzarella made from the milk of water buffalos tends to be higher quality than cow's milk mozz, with a richer flavor and creamier texture when melted. But it also costs more and can be difficult to source depending on your location. For most uses, cow's milk mozz is an affordable, tasty option.

Conclusion

While mozzarella and tussers cheese have some subtle differences in taste, texture and performance, they both can add delicious cheesy goodness to all types of savory dishes.

Tussers really shines when you want a flavorful cheese for cooking, snacking or cheese boards.

Mozzarella's meltability lends itself to baking or anytime you want melted cheese.