Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by Aaron
Mozzarella is made from cow’s milk, and the price of milk can fluctuate a lot. For example, in May 2022 the price of milk reached an all-time high, and as a result, mozzarella prices went up too.
Likewise for mozzarella sticks where the price is driven by the market price of mozzarella cheese, In addition to the expenses of manufacturing, storage, and transportation.
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Mozzarella: $4/lb – $8/lb
From pizzas to omelets, the popularity of mozzarella has led to an increase in demand, which has contributed to the higher price.
According to industry experts, the cost of mozzarella is likely to continue rising in the coming months. The main reason for this is the soaring cost of electricity, gas, oil and packaging. These costs have been steadily rising since 2021, and there’s no sign of them slowing down anytime soon.
As a result, mozzarella producers have no choice but to pass on these higher costs to consumers.
Also, mozzarella cheese is so expensive because it’s a hand-made cheese. Unlike mass-produced cheeses that are made by machines, mozzarella cheese is still made in the traditional way by skilled artisans. The process of making mozzarella cheese is very labor-intensive, and it takes a lot of time and practice to get it right.
This handmade process is one of the things that makes mozzarella cheese so special. And because it’s handmade, each batch of mozzarella cheese is slightly different from the last, which adds to its uniqueness.
Another reason mozzarella cheese is expensive is because of the quality of the milk used to make it. Good Italian mozzarella cheese must be made with water buffalo milk, which is not as readily available as cow’s milk. Water buffalo are not native to North America, so the milk has to be imported from Italy or other parts of Europe where water buffalo are more common. This adds to the cost of production.
While mozzarella is relatively affordable, fresh mozzarella can be quite expensive. This is due to the fact that fresh mozzarella has a short shelf life and must be consumed within a few days of purchase. Without using additives, fresh mozzarella can only last for about 5 days. With preserving liquid, it can last up to 20 days (1). This means that producers have to charge more for it to make up for the fact that they can’t sell as much of it before it goes bad.
Expensive vs. Cheap Mozzarella Cheese
The main difference between expensive and cheap mozzarella cheese is the quality of the milk used to make it. Cheap mozzarella is usually made with cow’s milk, while expensive mozzarella is made with water buffalo or other milk. Water buffalo milk is harder to come by, which makes it more expensive.
Wrap up — a note before you go
A pound of fresh mozzarella can set you back nearly $8, that’s about $100 per year for one kind of cheese for the average American family, but you can easily cut that price in half by making your own. All you need is some milk, a bit of vinegar, and a little salt. And the best part is that you can customize your mozzarella to suit your taste. If you like it extra creamy, just add a little more milk. If you prefer it on the tangy side, add a bit more vinegar.
