Randy Chandler
Pizza Hut is a popular pizza chain that primarily uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. However, there have been concerns and mixed reviews about the authenticity and quality of the cheese used by the restaurant. Some customers have complained about the taste, texture, and quantity of cheese on their pizzas, while others have questioned the ingredients and processing methods used by Pizza Hut's cheese supplier, Leprino Foods. The debate revolves around whether the cheese is real mozzarella or a modified version loaded with starch and other additives. This has sparked discussions about the difference between Pizza Hut's cheese and regular mozzarella, with some claiming that the restaurant uses a custom-made cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Mozzarella, Parmesan Romano |
| Producer | Leprino Foods |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat |
| Nutritional Information | 90 calories, 6 grams of total fat, 8 grams of protein, 210 milligrams of sodium per quarter cup serving |
| Texture | Stretchy, Stodgy |
| Taste | Good |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut's cheese supplier
Leprino Foods has addressed concerns over the ingredients in their cheese, stating that their mozzarella does not contain any silicone ingredients, despite claims made by "The Milkwood" magazine in 2006. Leprino Foods asserts that they fully comply with FDA regulations.
Some Pizza Hut locations offer a cheese sauce or nacho cheese, which is supplied by McClane, the same supplier that provides cheese for Taco Bell and KFC. This cheese sauce is not available at all Pizza Hut locations, and the company has signed contracts restricting the sale of this product specifically to Pizza Hut.
While the exact blend of cheeses used by Pizza Hut may vary by location, it is clear that they source their cheese from a variety of suppliers, including Leprino Foods and McClane, to create a product that meets their specific needs for taste, texture, and cost.
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Leprino Foods' ingredients
Leprino Foods is a company based in Colorado that is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. The company started in 1950 as a small, family-run cheese business and has since grown to become a leading supplier of quality nutrition ingredients and dairy products across the globe.
Leprino Foods provides ingredients to large pizza chains such as Pizza Hut, which primarily uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas, which has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese is also used by Domino's, which blends it with modified starch, flavors, and preservatives.
There have been concerns over the ingredients used in Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese. In 2006, a report by "The Milkwood" magazine suggested that the company's cheese uses polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial chemical made of silicone that is 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 and that no such chemical is used in their mozzarella cheese production.
Leprino Foods produces a variety of other high-quality dairy ingredients and nutrition products. The company is a leading manufacturer of whey protein, lactose, micellar casein, and other dairy ingredients used in various applications, including infant formula, food manufacturing, and nutraceuticals. Leprino Nutrition, a branch of Leprino Foods, specializes in creating innovative, high-quality ingredients designed to meet the diverse nutritional needs of consumers, from athletes to young children with special dietary requirements.
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Whole milk mozzarella
Pizza Hut's cheese supplier has addressed past concerns over the ingredients of its cheese. The chain states that it uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas, with some of its speciality pizzas containing Parmesan romano cheese. However, in 2015, Pizza Hut announced that its cheese is made from 100% whole milk mozzarella.
Many chefs and high-end pizzerias use whole milk mozzarella cheese because it melts better and has a richer flavour. Whole milk mozzarella is also known as full-fat mozzarella, and while it is a matter of preference, full-fat cheese will not taste like the big pizza chains as it will become too greasy.
In addition to the change to whole milk mozzarella, Pizza Hut also announced that it would be removing artificial flavours and colours from its nationally available pizzas, as well as BHA/BHT from its menu, and eliminating artificial preservatives from its cheese.
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Pizza Hut's cheese quality
While Pizza Hut's cheese supplier has addressed concerns over the ingredients in the past, there have been mixed reviews about the quality of the cheese used. Some customers have expressed disappointment in the taste and texture of the cheese, describing it as fake and lacking in quantity. Others have praised the cheese, enjoying the flavour it brings to the pizza.
It is worth noting that the cheese used by Pizza Hut is not "real" mozzarella in the traditional sense. It is a modified version, often referred to as "pizza cheese," which is designed to retain its chewiness after heating and prevent greasiness. This type of cheese is also used by other large pizza chains, such as Domino's, and is chosen for its low cost and functionality.
Leprino Foods, the supplier of Pizza Hut's cheese, has faced controversy over the ingredients used in their mozzarella. In 2006, a report by "The Milkwood" magazine suggested that their cheese contains polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial 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.
Overall, while Pizza Hut's cheese may not be traditional mozzarella, it is a functional and cost-effective choice for the large-scale production of pizzas. While some customers may find it lacking in taste and texture, others seem to appreciate the familiar, stretchy quality of the cheese on their pizzas.
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Pizza Hut's cheese quantity
Pizza Hut uses a significant amount of cheese on its pizzas, with cheese being a key ingredient in many of its offerings. The chain primarily uses mozzarella cheese, specifically part-skim mozzarella, on the majority of its pizzas. This variety of mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella, with a quarter-cup serving providing 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat. Pizza Hut's cheese supplier is Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella cheese producer, which provides part-skim mozzarella for the chain's pizzas.
While Pizza Hut does not disclose the exact quantity of cheese used on each pizza, it is worth noting that their Original Stuffed Crust® Pizza features warm, melty cheese baked directly into the crust, indicating a generous amount. This variety, introduced in 1995, has become a staple on the menus of traditional Pizza Hut locations.
Some specialty pizzas offered by Pizza Hut also contain Parmesan Romano cheese in addition to mozzarella. The chain's use of cheese blends and combinations allows it to create distinct flavours and textures that contribute to the overall appeal of its pizzas.
It is important to note that the cheese quantity and type may vary slightly across different regions and Pizza Hut franchises. Additionally, Pizza Hut, like other large pizza chains, uses a "pizza cheese" that is designed to retain its chewiness after heating. This cheese is different from the traditional full-fat or whole milk mozzarella used in many pizzerias and is chosen for its functionality and cost-effectiveness.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza Hut uses a "pizza cheese" made by Leprino Foods, which is not "real" mozzarella. It is loaded with modified food starch and polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical. However, Leprino Foods states that they do not use this chemical in their mozzarella cheese and that they fully comply with FDA regulations.
Pizza Hut primarily uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on its pizzas, which has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. Some of its specialty pizzas also contain Parmesan romano cheese.
Whole-milk mozzarella can be difficult to find and is usually not available at local grocery stores. It also has a short shelf life, which is why many pizza chains, including Pizza Hut, opt for part-skim mozzarella.
Yes, most pizza chains, including Domino's, use a similar "pizza cheese" made by Leprino Foods. This cheese is designed to retain its chewiness after heating and is loaded with modified food starch.
