Kamil Perry
Chipotle's cheese is a fan favourite, and the Tex-Mex-inspired chain uses two types of cheese in its dishes: Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The former is a semi-hard cheese with a rich texture and mild flavour, while the latter is famous for its tangy and complex flavour. The two cheeses are blended to create Chipotle's famous Queso Blanco, while shredded Monterey Jack is piled into burritos, on top of bowls, and into tacos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Monterey Jack, White Cheddar |
| Texture | Rich, semi-hard, creamy, shredded |
| Flavor | Mild, buttery, tangy, complex, nutty, salty |
| Melting Property | Melts easily |
| Source | Made in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery |
| Milk Source | Pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones) |
| Dairy Farms | Small to midsize farms adhering to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards |
| Standards | No artificial hormones, restricted use of antibiotics, constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter |
| Production | Smaller scale, sourced from family farms |
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What You'll Learn
Monterey Jack cheese is used in shredded form
Chipotle uses shredded Monterey Jack cheese in its burritos, bowls, and tacos. This semi-hard cheese, made from cow's milk, has a rich texture and a mild, buttery flavour. Its high moisture and fat content make it an excellent melting cheese, perfect for quesadillas or as a topping.
Monterey Jack is one of the two types of cheese Chipotle uses, the other being white cheddar. While white cheddar is used in Chipotle's queso dip, Monterey Jack is the cheese that is shredded and piled into burritos, bowls, and tacos.
Chipotle's use of shredded Monterey Jack cheese is included in the price of a meal, and customers can ask for extra without incurring additional charges. The cheese is sourced from small to midsize dairy farms that adhere to the company's "Food with Integrity" standards, ensuring the cows are pasture-reared without the use of artificial hormones.
The creamy, salty, and nutty flavour of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese has made it a favourite among Chipotle fans, and it is a key ingredient in the chain's popular Tex-Mex-inspired dishes. Customers can also purchase Monterey Jack cheese from grocery stores to shred themselves, although the pre-shredded variety may have added starches that affect its melting ability.
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White cheddar is used in queso
Chipotle's cheese stands out among its various meat options, salsa varieties, and extras like guacamole. The brand uses two types of cheese: Monterey Jack and white cheddar. While Monterey Jack is used across the menu, white cheddar is reserved for queso.
White cheddar is what most Americans know as cheddar without the addition of annatto, which gives cheddar its orange hue. This variety of cheese is famous for its tangy and complex flavor, which can stand out even with bold ingredients like salsa or guacamole. Chipotle uses an aged version of white cheddar, which gives the queso an overall sharper taste.
Chipotle's queso has had a long journey to its current form. When it was first introduced in 2017, it was made with aged cheddar and no processed ingredients. However, customers were not happy with the texture, describing it as extremely grainy and off-putting. After receiving widespread backlash, Chipotle went back to the drawing board and came out with a new recipe in 2020.
The current version of Chipotle's queso is made with a blend of Monterey Jack and white cheddar, and serrano, poblano, and chipotle peppers. The two cheeses are paired with milk to create a gooey dip that many customers happily pay an upcharge for. The aged white cheddar gives the queso a sharper taste, while the buttery Monterey Jack balances it out with a milder flavor.
While Chipotle does not specify where its white cheddar is created, the company states that all its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows raised without bovine growth hormones. The dairy farms supplying the cheese must adhere to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards, which include restrictions on the use of artificial hormones and antibiotics.
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Cheese is sourced from pasture-reared cows
Chipotle uses two types of cheese: Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The former is the shredded cheese that the company piles into its burritos, bowls, and tacos. It is a semi-hard cheese with a rich texture and a mild, buttery flavour. The latter is used in the company's Queso Blanco, where it is blended with Monterey Jack.
Chipotle's cheese is sourced from pasture-reared cows. The company states that all its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones). Each of the small to midsize dairy farms behind its Monterey Jack cheese must adhere to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards. These standards include restrictions on the use of artificial hormones to increase milk output and the use of antibiotics only for treating sick cows. The farms must also provide their herds with constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter.
Chipotle's emphasis on sourcing cheese from pasture-reared cows aligns with its commitment to using high-quality, natural ingredients. The company prioritises the use of fresh, whole foods and avoids artificial additives and preservatives. By sourcing cheese from pasture-reared cows, Chipotle ensures that its dairy products meet these same standards of quality and freshness.
Pasture-reared cows, also known as grass-fed cows, are those that are raised primarily on grass and other forage plants, such as clover and alfalfa. This is in contrast to grain-fed cows, which are fed a diet that includes a significant proportion of grains, such as corn and soy. Pasture-rearing is considered a more natural and sustainable way to raise dairy cows, as it allows them to graze and roam freely in pastures, which can improve their health and welfare.
The practice of pasture-rearing cows has several benefits for both the cows and the dairy products they produce. Firstly, pasture-reared cows tend to be healthier and have lower levels of stress and disease compared to cows raised in confined, intensive farming systems. This is because they are able to engage in their natural behaviours, such as grazing and roaming, and are not subjected to the stress of overcrowding. Secondly, the milk from pasture-reared cows tends to have a higher nutritional quality. It is often higher in beneficial fatty acids, such as omega-3, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which is associated with various health benefits for humans. Finally, the milk from pasture-reared cows can have a superior flavour due to the diverse and natural diet of the cows, which can lead to a more flavourful and distinctive cheese.
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Customers can ask for extra cheese
The cheese that Chipotle uses is shredded Monterey Jack, which has a rich texture and a mild, buttery flavour. It is semi-hard and made from cow's milk, melting easily when used as a topping or in a quesadilla. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is made in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery. It is produced on small to midsize dairy farms that adhere to the company's "Food with Integrity" standards, which include no artificial hormones and restricted use of antibiotics.
The only other cheese that Chipotle uses is White Cheddar, which is blended with Monterey Jack to make their Queso Blanco. This cheese is famous for its tangy and complex flavour and is used to create the gooey queso dip alongside Monterey Jack. Chipotle does not specify where its white cheddar is created, but it does state that all its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows without the use of bovine growth hormones.
While some customers have reported being charged a fee for extra cheese when ordering in person, others have found that requesting extra cheese through the app does not incur any additional charges. So, if you're a cheese lover, don't be afraid to ask for a little extra at Chipotle!
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Monterey Jack is semi-hard and melts well
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack cheese, a semi-hard variety with a rich texture and a mild, buttery flavour. Its high moisture and fat content make it an excellent melting cheese, perfect for quesadillas, burritos, bowls, and tacos.
Monterey Jack is made from cow's milk and is produced according to Chipotle's
The use of Monterey Jack cheese in Chipotle's dishes is quite versatile. It can be shredded and melted on top of burritos, bowls, and tacos, or used as a filling for quesadillas. The cheese is also a key ingredient in Chipotle's queso dip, where it is blended with aged white cheddar and various peppers to create a gooey, creamy sauce.
Monterey Jack's mild flavour and melting properties make it an ideal cheese for Tex-Mex cuisine, where it can complement bolder ingredients without being overwhelming. Its versatility and rich texture have made it a favourite among Chipotle customers, who appreciate its salty, creamy, and nutty characteristics.
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Frequently asked questions
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack cheese and white cheddar. The Monterey Jack cheese is shredded and used in burritos, bowls, and tacos. The white cheddar is blended with Monterey Jack for the Queso Blanco.
Chipotle does not specify the brand of cheese it uses, but it is known that their Monterey Jack cheese is made in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery. The company sources its cheese from small to midsize dairy farms that adhere to their "Food with Integrity" standards, ensuring the cows are pasture-reared and not treated with artificial hormones or antibiotics.
Yes, you can buy Monterey Jack cheese at most grocery stores or delicatessens. However, it is recommended to purchase a block of cheese and shred it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese may have added starches that affect the taste and melting ability. Some brands that offer Monterey Jack cheese include Joseph's Farms, Boar's Head, and Tillamook.
