One of the most important elements of culture is cuisine, and Pope Benedict XVI has most certainly taken to Italian culture! According to AKI, the Pope has developed quite of liking for buffalo mozzarella cheese and eats it quite often:
Vatican City, 28 March (AKI) – Pope Benedict XVI is a big fan of buffalo mozzarella cheese, and eats it often reported Italian daily Il Messaggero on Friday.
Pope Benedict XVI reportedly likes simple dishes and often receives buffalo mozzarella cheese as a gift from bishops from the Campania region in southern Italy where the best buffalo mozzarella is produced.
The cheese is given to Benedict’s policemen, who later ‘discreetly’ take the cheese to his apartment, Il Messaggero reported.
Recently there have been fears the highly popular mozzarella cheese may have been contaminated by dioxins and other chemicals from illegally dumped toxic waste.
Japan and South Korea have in recent days halted imports of buffalo mozzarella, and there are fears other countries could suspend imports.
In the supermarket located inside Vatican City, the dairy section is full of mozzarella cheese products from the southern region of Campania.
Reportedly, the cheese is prized among priests and nuns who visit the supermarket everyday to restock convents, institutes and monasteries.
The cheese, prized for its subtle flavour, costs twice as much as mozzarella made with cows’ milk. It is eaten on top of pizza and also alongside prosciutto or with sliced tomatoes and basil.
Reportedly, and mozzarella cheese is often found in his plate, said Il Messaggero.
So next time you’re at Applebee’s or Buffalo Wild Wings or wherever, have some mozzarella sticks as a tribute to our great Pope. For some interesting facts about Italian mozzarella cheese, especially the buffalo variety, click here.
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