ebpizza, I feel like a total jerk saying this stuff, so I want you to understand that I know I probably just had some really bad luck. I understand that just like favorite pizza places everybody has their own experiences and there is no right or wrong here but........
I called Sessa's last week asking about how often, and when they get in their buffalo moz. The lady on the phone said that there is no set schedule for their shipments. When pressed she admitted that they did not get it in every week, and that they just order it as needed, so there was no way for me to know what day I could come in to buy it in its freshest state. I stopped by to get some later that day. I am really not exaggerating here when I tell you that it was absolute soup. Totally sour, and as mushy as pudding. Not only that, it was a dollar more per package than it cost at Salumeria Italiana for the same size ball! This cheese ended up unusable, although I did try. I don't know if you are aware of this, but I think Salumeria Italiana charges less in the store than they do on the website, so this might be why you think it is cheaper at Sessa's. One thing I can say is that Sessa's had possibly the best selection of tomatoes I have ever seen, although, like the cheese, many of the cans seemed old and some were even rusty.
Every time I have ever bought buffalo Mozzarella from Salumeria Italiana it has been totally firm and fresh. This cheese has been so fresh that I have even on occasion not used it all, and come back to my leftovers a week later to find it still firm and usable (unlike Sessa's on the first day). My initial post asking about if buffalo mozzarella was supposed to be sour was only because I did not know what to expect. I know I have mentioned this before, but after my visit to Sorrento/Naples/Amalfi/Positano, I came to realize that this cheese (Mandara brand) at Salumeria Italiana tastes the way it should.
I did find another store, actually my favorite Italian specialty store, in Union sq. Somerville Massachucetts. They sell the same brand buffalo mozzarella as Sessa's for two dollars less a package, and it seems to be much fresher. Since I have just recently found the store I still don't know if they are consistently as fresh as the cheese at Salumeria Italiana, but this place, Capone foods is really amazing for many other reasons. You might want to check it out. They have website, and will ship anywhere, plus they sell repackaged smaller bags of Caputo Pizzeria flour as well. The selection of olive oils there is truly amazing, and the owner is the most passionate foodie I have ever met. They make all their own pastas, plus they have a cool ultra gourmet like of frozen foods prepared in house that could be served at the most expensive find dining establishments and fool the patrons. Most importantly I think the prices at Capone foods seem very low when compared to their competition. I did not ask how much the small bags of Caputo Pizzeria flour cost (they looked like 5 pound bags), but I am assuming it is a fair price. I don't think they are on the website, but you can call and ask about them at 617-629-2296. The website is
www.caponefoods.comI understand I might have had a freak accident at Sessa's, but it was an unfortunate first experience.
