Barlotti | Mozzarella di Bufala PDO 2x125g
DETAILS
Smooth, tender, and full of flavor, Barlotti’s Mozzarella di Bufala is a textbook expression of this Southern Italian treasure—creamy at the core with just the right amount of lactic tang, and a delicate skin that gives way to a yielding, milky interior. Whether torn over tomatoes, layered into a sandwich, or eaten just as it is with a pinch of salt and good olive oil, this is mozzarella worth slowing down for.
BARLOTTI
Caseificio Barlotti is a family-run dairy located in Paestum, in the province of Salerno, at the southern edge of Italy’s Campania region. Nestled between the ancient Greek temples of the archaeological site and the fertile lands of the Sele Plain, it operates in one of the historical cradles of buffalo mozzarella production.
The Barlotti family has been raising Mediterranean water buffalo since the early 1900s, originally for breeding. In the 1990s, under the leadership of the younger generation, they transitioned into direct dairy production, establishing their own caseificio on the farm. Unlike larger dairies that rely on external milk suppliers, Barlotti controls the entire cycle—from field to cheese. The buffalo are raised on-site, fed on local forage and cereals, and milked daily. The milk is processed just meters away, meaning the transformation from milk to mozzarella begins within hours of milking.
This proximity ensures freshness, traceability, and a true connection between the animals, the land, and the final product. Barlotti produces not only Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, but also ricotta, yogurt, stracchino, caciocavallo, and seasonal aged cheeses—all made exclusively from buffalo milk.
Their cheeses are highly regarded by chefs, locals, and visitors alike, and the dairy has become something of a culinary destination in the region. On-site, they run a small spaccio (farm shop) and even serve warm ricotta freshly ladled from the vat—a rare experience even in Italy.
Barlotti’s approach reflects the best of Campanian food culture: slow, honest, and rooted in place.
The mozzarella itself is handmade, pulled from curds that have been patiently acidified, then shaped by hand into glossy white orbs. This process—“mozzatura”, from mozzare, meaning “to cut”—is where mozzarella gets its name. It’s an artisanal technique, passed down through generations, and one that requires both speed and intuition to get right.
NINE CENTURIES WHITE GOLD
Mozzarella di Bufala has a long history in Campania. It likely traces its roots back to the 12th century, when monks near Naples began making fresh cheese from the milk of the Asian water buffalo, which had been introduced earlier via Norman trade. For centuries, it remained a local specialty, sold only in the region or consumed the same day. It wasn’t until the 20th century—with the rise of refrigeration and modern transport—that it began reaching wider tables. Still today, the best is made close to the source, by producers like Barlotti who follow time-honored methods and control every stage of production.
This cheese carries Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP status, guaranteeing that it’s produced in its native region using traditional techniques and 100% buffalo milk. The result is something distinctly different from cow’s milk mozzarella—richer, softer, and more complex, with a lingering depth that reflects the land and the care behind it.