Buffalo mozzarella, as the name suggests, is mozzarella that is made from buffalo milk, as opposed to traditional mozzarella which is made from cow's milk. It's not made from any buffalo though — buffalo mozzarella is typically made from the rich milk of water buffalos, not from the milk of North American buffalos or bison.

Like cheeses from cow's milk, buffalo mozzarella is also very mild in flavor. Most cheese experts, however, generally agree that buffalo mozzarella should have a slightly sour taste. Its colour can range from snowy white to white with a tinge of yellow. It is widely believed that the colour of the cheese varies based on the diet of the water buffalos that produced the milk. This kind of cheese is most commonly used in Italian recipes. It is often served with tomatoes as a simple appetizer or antipasto. It may also serve as the cheese used in Neapolitan pizzas, which is made of fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella . Besides being used in salads and as a pizza topping, buffalo mozzarella is also a common ingredient in other popular Italian recipes such as lasagne or baked penne pasta casserole. When heated, the cheese becomes slightly creamy. This characteristic is found by some cooks to add a nice texture to hot dishes.