Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle PDO is a fresh pasta filata cheese made from whole cow's milk and whey starter. It is sold in three shapes: spheroidal, knot and braid.

Its production is limited to certain municipalities in Bari, Taranto, and Matera.

It has a delicately acidic flavor, with a slight fermented/sour whey aftertaste, more intense when freshly made. The smell is lactic, sour, with overriding nuances of milk/white yogurt and butter. It has a smooth or slightly fibrous, shiny surface, not slimy or flaky. It is white on the outside, with seasonal shades of straw color. The paste should be elastic without defects, and some white whey may escape when cut. Weight ranges from 50 to 1,000 grams, depending on shape and size.