Frederic Melton
Pizza Hut's cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, which also supplies several other major US chains and packaged food manufacturers. The cheese is made from pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate. It is important to note that the ideal cheese for pizza is low-moisture whole milk mozzarella, which has a short shelf life. This may be one of the reasons why Pizza Hut's cheese supplier does not list the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese.
How does Pizza Hut keep their cheese fresh?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Part-skim aged mozzarella (aka pizza cheese) |
| Supplier | Leprino Foods |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate |
| Moisture Content | Low-moisture (45-52% water) |
| Texture | Dried and sold in blocks |
| Storage | Frozen and pre-shredded |
| Availability | Difficult to find for consumers |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut's cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods
James Leprino, who joined the family business after graduating from high school in 1956, played a pivotal role in the company's success. He noticed that pizzerias in their region were purchasing large quantities of cheese, up to 5,000 pounds per week. This insight led him to pursue the pizza cheese market, a decision that would eventually propel Leprino Foods to the top of the industry.
Leprino Foods became the exclusive supplier to Pizza Hut, along with other major pizza chains like Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars. This exclusivity was often secured with remarkably informal agreements, such as the one-page contract and handshake deal with Domino's in 1996. The company's ability to customise its offerings for each client, exemplified by their formula change for Pizza Hut's hotter conveyor ovens, has been a key factor in maintaining these relationships.
Today, Leprino Foods is the world's largest maker of mozzarella cheese, selling over a billion pounds of cheese annually and generating $3 billion in revenue. Their focus on innovation has resulted in more than 50 patents, fundamentally shaping the "`pizza cheese`" consumed by Americans today. The company's influence extends beyond the United States, with facilities and operations in multiple countries, including Brazil, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
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It's a part-skim, aged mozzarella
Pizza Hut uses part-skim, aged mozzarella, also known as "pizza cheese", supplied by Leprino Foods, which supplies several other major US chains and packaged food manufacturers. Leprino Foods does not disclose the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese, but Pizza Hut has revealed that the cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate. Notably, Leprino Foods has been accused of using polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial silicone chemical not approved by the FDA for use in food. However, the company denies this claim and asserts its compliance with FDA regulations.
Part-skim mozzarella is made with a mixture of skim milk and whole milk, resulting in a lower fat content than whole milk mozzarella. It is also known as low-moisture mozzarella, typically containing 45-52% water. This variety of mozzarella is dried, aged, and sold in blocks instead of balls, boasting a longer shelf life than its "fresh" counterpart. In the context of pizza cheese, low-moisture mozzarella is preferred over fresh mozzarella to prevent an unappetizing translucent gray appearance and bitter flavour.
The use of part-skim, aged mozzarella in Pizza Hut's cheese blend contributes to its extended shelf life, making it a practical choice for the restaurant chain. However, it's worth noting that the specific type of mozzarella used by Pizza Hut is not readily available to consumers. While consumers can purchase low-moisture whole milk mozzarella, it is typically challenging to find and often needs to be bought in bulk from restaurant supply stores.
Pizza Hut's cheese sauce, on the other hand, is made with a limited number of ingredients and is thinned with milk. While the exact composition of the pizza cheese remains a closely guarded secret, the combination of part-skim, aged mozzarella with other ingredients in the sauce contributes to the unique taste and texture that Pizza Hut is known for.
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It's made with pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and other ingredients
Pizza Hut's cheese is made with pasteurized milk, salt, enzymes, and other ingredients. The cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, which provides cheese to several other major US chains and packaged food manufacturers. Notably, the company does not disclose the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese. However, Pizza Hut has reported that, in addition to pasteurized milk and salt, their cheese contains enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
The cheese used by Pizza Hut is a type of low-moisture whole milk mozzarella, also known as "pizza cheese." This variety of mozzarella is dried and aged, resulting in a longer shelf life compared to fresh mozzarella, which is typically sold as soft cheese in balls. Low-moisture mozzarella is often challenging to find for consumers, as it is usually sold in bulk to restaurants and purchased in blocks that need to be shredded manually.
Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese has been the subject of controversy. In 2006, a report by The Milkwood magazine suggested that the cheese contained polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial silicone chemical not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. However, Leprino Foods has denied these claims, stating that they fully comply with FDA regulations.
It is worth noting that the cheese used by Pizza Hut may vary slightly depending on the region and the specific ingredients available. Additionally, Pizza Hut offers vegan cheese options in some locations, catering to customers who prefer animal-free alternatives.
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The ideal pizza cheese is low-moisture whole milk mozzarella
Pizza Hut's cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, which also supplies several other major US chains and packaged food manufacturers. The cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk and sodium propionate. It is part-skim, aged mozzarella, also known as "pizza cheese", and comes frozen and pre-shredded.
Mozzarella cheese is available in part-skim, fat-free, or whole milk varieties. In the US, most mozzarella is "low-moisture" (45-52% water), dried, aged, and sold in blocks instead of balls, with a much longer shelf life than "fresh" mozzarella. The ideal pizza cheese is low-moisture whole milk mozzarella, which can be hard to find for consumers as it has a short shelf life and is usually sold in bulk to restaurants. It is typically purchased in blocks and shredded at home.
Low-moisture mozzarella is ideal for pizza because it melts uniformly and forms a cohesive mass that is easy to stretch and fold. This type of cheese also has a higher melting point, which means it can withstand higher temperatures without burning or becoming greasy. It also has a milder flavour than fresh mozzarella, which can be overwhelming on a pizza with multiple toppings.
While some may argue that only full-fat cheese is acceptable for pizza, low-moisture mozzarella is actually the preferred choice for American-style pizza. This is because it provides the ideal balance of stretchiness and flavour without being too greasy or overwhelming.
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It's hard to find low-moisture mozzarella in grocery stores
While Pizza Hut does not publicly disclose the type of cheese it uses, most pizzerias in the US opt for low-moisture mozzarella. This is because it has a longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella, which tends to deteriorate quickly after being made. Low-moisture mozzarella can last for weeks under refrigeration, making it a more cost-effective option for restaurants.
Low-moisture mozzarella is also favoured for its superior melting properties. Unlike fresh mozzarella, it releases little to no water during melting, making it ideal for achieving that desirable, stretchy cheese pull. Its lower water content also means it has a denser texture and a tangier, saltier flavour than fresh mozzarella.
However, finding low-moisture mozzarella in grocery stores can be challenging. It is often stocked in a different section of the store from fresh mozzarella and may be labelled simply as "mozzarella", “regular mozzarella”, or “aged mozzarella”. It is typically sold in whole blocks, pre-shredded bags, or as string cheese, and can be found near other block cheeses like cheddar, ricotta, sour cream, and cottage cheese.
One reason why low-moisture mozzarella may be harder to find in grocery stores is that it is not as commonly purchased by consumers. Fresh mozzarella is often perceived as a more premium product, favoured for its softer texture and milder, milkier flavour. However, for pizza-making at home, low-moisture mozzarella is generally recommended due to its superior melting properties and longer shelf life.
When searching for low-moisture mozzarella in grocery stores, it is important to read the ingredient labels carefully. Look for mozzarella with a moisture content in the range of 45% to 52%, as specified by the FDA. Additionally, consider the form of mozzarella that will best suit your needs, such as blocks, pre-shredded, or string cheese. Keep in mind that pre-shredded mozzarella may brown faster and form an unattractive crust due to the added starch, so blocks of cheese might be preferable.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza Hut uses a type of low-moisture mozzarella cheese, which has a longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella.
Pizza Hut uses a type of mozzarella cheese called "pizza cheese" or "lite mozzarella cheese", which is supplied by Leprino Foods. It is made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
Fresh mozzarella cheese has a short shelf life, which makes it difficult to store and manage for large pizza chains like Pizza Hut.
Low-moisture mozzarella cheese is easier to manage and has a longer shelf life compared to fresh mozzarella. It also melts and stretches more easily when cooked, which is ideal for pizza toppings.
