Tag: Oiling off

Excessive oiling-off, where a melted cheese like mozzarella becomes visibly oily, is a recognized quality defect in the dairy industry, though it's a common observation for home cooks. This phenomenon, often seen on pizzas and other baked goods, is a result of the cheese's fat content separating from its protein structure when heated.

According to the British Heart Foundation, a ball of mozzarella typically contains about 18% fat, which can cause confusion when a melted cheese dish appears visibly oily. This brings up the question, does Mozzarella cheese have oil in it, or is that greasy layer something else entirely?