I recently got some interest in making my own cheese and I have searching for information. I gladly found this forum and I expect to learn and share my experience here.
I have been reading some books and in the same time looking at videos and there is a question that is bugging me , what is the difference in using Thermofilic starter for Mozzarella and using acid. Most of the books present you recipes using Thermofilic starters but in all the videos I have seen they use citric acid.
PS. If you don't understand my English sorry for that, is not my first language.
Felku, welcome to the forum!
When it comes to Mozarella, the key is reaching the right level of acidity -- if the acidity is too low, the cheese will not stretch; if it is too high, it will fall apart. The goal is a pH of around 5.2.
One way to achieve that level of acid is by letting the thermophilic bacteria create it -- they eat the lactose (sugar) in the milk and convert it to lactic acid. Of course, it takes a bit of time to reach the right level, anywhere from a couple of hours to overnight, depending on conditions.
Adding acid to milk to make Mozarella is a shortcut, allowing you to skip the bacteria altogether (although some people do some of each). This is where the "30-minute Mozarella" comes in.
In theory, both should work. For what it is worth, however, I have had very poor luck with 30-minute Mozarella (adding acid). I have had much better results with letting the milk culture -- but of course, you have to keep an eye on it so that it doesn't go too far / too acidic. A pH meter definitely helps, though there are ways to test without a meter.
Perhaps an even more important point is that the taste of the bacteria-ripened Mozarella is far, far better. And if you add a pinch of lipase, even better yet!
If you search on the forum, you will find quite a lot of posts reflecting on experience with various approaches to Mozarella -- enjoy!
P. S. I visited PR a few years ago, and loved it -- we have been wanting to go back!
Thanks a lot for your reply, it did answer my question. So far I love this forum there is so much information here.
PS. I'm glad you like it here, is a good place for vacation because you can visit the beach all year but I have to admit things are expensive here compare to other Caribbean countries.
Since I spent the first 12 years of my life in the Philippines, what I especially like about PR was how much it reminded me of the PI. It felt like going home!