The production of buffalo mozzarella hasn’t had much luck in the United States. Due to a lack of tradition, most farmers don’t have enough experience with water buffalos—wild, moody animals that tend to only produce rich, creamy milk once relaxed and at ease.

Audrey Ramini, the first woman to run a buffalo mozzarella farm in California, is a pioneer in this industry. She started Ramini Mozzarella in 2008 with her husband, Craig. Before becoming cheesemakers, Audrey and Craig worked in completely different fields: she was a brilliant architect and he was a Silicon Valley software consultant.