Do you press mozzarella?

[2rophile]

Hope you can help me out, I tried pressing mozzarella and it turned out rubbery. I thought pressing would help shape it better but maybe it’s not needed? Do you press mozzarella at all? Appreciate any suggestions!

 

[Dennis]

I learned the hard way that pressing mozzarella makes it tough. Just stretch and shape it warm, then cool it in water. What milk are you using, store-bought or raw?

 

[SweetAndSour]

I tried pressing mozzarella and it turned out rubbery.

it's the pressing! You don't need to press fresh mozzarella at all. Pressing squeezes out the last bits of whey (moisture) that you desperately want to keep.
Mozzarella's signature softness comes from high moisture. Pressing compacts the curd, makes the cheese too dry, and permanently gives you that awful, bouncy, rubber ball texture. Skip the press entirely and let the curd drain naturally