The word Mozzarella is derived from the word Italian word mozzare meaning "to cut off". This references cutting the cheese curd during its production process. Mozzarella cheese is made by heating whey until it forms stringy curds. These curds are then stretched until they are smooth, a process called pasta filata. The Mozzarella is cut and formed into balls and stored in a whey brine solution to keep it moist.