Frederic Melton
Whether or not extra cheese is considered a topping on pizza is a highly debated topic. Some people argue that cheese is an indispensable part of a pizza and not a topping, while others consider it to be a topping, especially when it is added in addition to the standard amount of cheese on a pizza. The amount of extra cheese can vary, and it is often charged as a premium topping due to the cost of cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is extra cheese a topping? | Yes, extra cheese is considered a topping by most pizza places. However, some people argue that it is not a topping but an indispensable part of the pizza. |
| Cost | Extra cheese is one of the most expensive items on a pizza and usually costs more than other toppings. |
| Amount | The industry norm for extra cheese is four ounces on an eight-ounce pizza, but this is not a mandate. Some pizzerias charge a fixed amount for extra cheese, while others have tiered pricing based on pizza size. |
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What You'll Learn
Extra cheese is a premium topping
Extra cheese is a premium pizza topping. This is because cheese is one of the most expensive ingredients on a pizza, and adding extra can be seen as an "upsell". While some people consider cheese to be an indispensable part of a pizza, others see it as a topping, and an extra amount of cheese is an easy way to enhance the pizza and increase revenue per transaction.
The cost of cheese fluctuates, and so can impact the overall cost of a pizza. As such, many pizza restaurants charge extra for additional cheese. The amount of extra cheese added varies, and some restaurants will add a set amount, such as two or four ounces, while others will add a scoop by hand, or even provide a whole separate bag of cheese.
Some restaurants, such as Pizza Hut, charge extra for additional cheese, while others, such as Domino's, do not. This can be a source of confusion for customers, who may expect extra cheese to be included as a regular topping. However, as cheese is one of the most expensive ingredients, it is often considered a premium topping and is excluded from coupons.
There are various ways to charge for extra cheese. Some restaurants use a set amount, while others may charge by weight. Portioning and pricing extra cheese correctly are crucial to maintaining the financial health of a restaurant, especially during times of fluctuating commodity prices.
Overall, extra cheese is a popular choice for customers, and offering it as an option can enhance the dining experience and increase revenue for restaurants.
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Mozzarella is a fundamental pizza ingredient
While there are conflicting opinions on whether cheese is a topping or an indispensable part of a pizza, there is no doubt that mozzarella is a fundamental pizza ingredient. Mozzarella is a soft, spun-curd cheese that originates from Italy and is used for most types of pizza. It is made by hand-kneading milk until a smooth, shiny paste is formed, which is then pulled and cut into individual portions of mozzarella. The curds are then stirred, heated, and drained, before being placed in a hoop to form a solid mass. This solid mass is then stretched and kneaded to produce a delicate consistency, which is ideal for pizza as it melts well without becoming watery.
Mozzarella is available in many varieties, including fresh, smoked, and scamorza, which is a drier and firmer version. Fresh mozzarella is recognised as a traditional speciality in the European Union and is available in various sizes, typically ranging from 80 to 100 grams but sometimes up to 1 kilogram. It is often soaked in salt water or whey and can be stored in the brine for up to three weeks. Low-moisture mozzarella can even be refrigerated for up to a month or sold with a shelf life of up to six months.
When it comes to pizza, the type of mozzarella used is important. While mozzarella made from cow's milk is the most common, mozzarella made from water buffalo milk, known as mozzarella di bufala, is also available and is considered a traditional speciality guaranteed (STG) or Specialità Tradizionale Garantita in Italy. This type of mozzarella is made with milk from Italian buffalo and has a bolder, slightly sweeter, and grassier flavour due to the richer milk used. However, some pizzaioli choose not to use mozzarella di bufala as the subtle flavour can be lost when baked with tomato sauce and crust. Instead, they may opt for fior di latte, which is made with cow's milk and is less expensive.
Regardless of the type of mozzarella chosen, it is essential to prepare it properly before using it on a pizza. Mozzarella should be tempered before use, ideally by bringing it to room temperature for up to two hours. Using cold cheese can hinder its melting ability. Additionally, the freshness of the mozzarella matters; while it can be stored for several weeks, the fresher the mozzarella, the better it tastes.
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Customers rarely complain about receiving too little extra cheese
While cheese is considered an indispensable part of a pizza, extra cheese is often treated as a topping. It is one of the most expensive items on a pizza and is sometimes charged as a premium topping. For example, Pizza Hut charges extra for it, while Dominos does not.
There is no standard amount of extra cheese that should be added to a pizza. The amount can vary from two to four ounces more than the standard amount of cheese on the pizza. Some pizzerias charge for extra cheese based on the pizza's size, with tiered pricing.
Selling extra cheese can be an effective way to improve food costs and the dining experience. It is an easy upsell, and customers rarely complain about receiving too little extra cheese. One pizza worker noted that in 18 years of giving different amounts of extra cheese, they had never heard a customer complain about receiving too little. This is in contrast to other toppings, where it is more apparent when there is a small amount, such as mushrooms.
The high cost of cheese means that pizzerias must be careful about how they monetize extra cheese. The price of cheese can fluctuate, and pizzerias must price and portion it correctly to maintain their financial health.
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Pizza Hut charges extra for extra cheese
While cheese is considered an indispensable part of pizza, extra cheese is a topping. This is because extra cheese is usually charged for, and the amount of cheese added varies. For example, Pizza Hut charges extra for extra cheese.
The amount of extra cheese added can vary, and there is no industry standard. Some pizzerias add two extra ounces of cheese, while others add four. Some even provide a whole separate bag of cheese, with tiered pricing based on the size of the pizza. The weight of the cheese can be estimated by experienced staff using the handful method, but this is not an exact science.
The price of cheese fluctuates, so it is important for pizzerias to correctly price and portion extra cheese to maintain their financial health. For example, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheese block price has been seen to fluctuate between the low $1.20 range and the $3 range.
Selling extra cheese can be a great way to enhance the customer's dining experience and increase revenue per transaction. It is an easy upsell, and customers rarely complain that they did not receive enough extra cheese.
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Cheese is one of the most expensive pizza ingredients
While opinions vary on whether cheese is a topping or an indispensable part of a pizza, extra cheese is one of the most expensive pizza ingredients. Cheese prices fluctuate wildly, and the cost of cheese is one of the biggest challenges for pizzerias. The price of a cheese block has been seen to vary from the low $1.20 range to the $3 range. This makes it difficult for pizzerias to decide on a fixed price for extra cheese.
Some pizzerias charge for extra cheese according to the size of the pizza, while others have a standard amount of extra cheese that they provide, regardless of the size. The standard amount of extra cheese in the industry is four ounces for an eight-ounce pizza, but this is not a mandate. Some pizzerias provide two extra ounces, while others provide an entire separate bag of cheese.
Portioning extra cheese correctly is crucial for pizzerias to maintain their financial health. Overloading a pizza with extra cheese without charging for it can be detrimental to the restaurant. However, charging for extra cheese can be challenging as well. It is difficult to measure the amount of extra cheese by weight without a scale. The handful method is not accurate and can result in losses for the restaurant.
Despite the challenges, offering extra cheese as an option can enhance the dining experience and increase revenue per transaction. It is an easy upsell and a simple way to improve customer satisfaction. Ultimately, whether or not to charge for extra cheese is a decision that each pizzeria must make, taking into consideration the fluctuating prices of cheese and the portion sizes that they offer.
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Frequently asked questions
Extra cheese is considered a topping on pizza. However, some people argue that cheese is an indispensable part of a pizza and not a topping.
Yes, extra cheese is one of the most expensive items on a pizza and is often charged as a premium topping.
The amount of extra cheese that is considered a topping can vary. Some pizzerias charge a fixed amount for extra cheese, while others charge based on the size of the pizza.
Cheese is one of the most expensive ingredients on a pizza due to the fluctuation in its price.
No, extra cheese is typically charged as a premium topping and is not included in deals or coupons.
