Patrick Oconnell
Chipotle uses two types of cheese in its bowls: Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The former is used as a shredded topping, while the latter is blended with Monterey Jack to make the chain's queso dip. Chipotle's Monterey Jack cheese is produced in Wisconsin and California, and the chain claims that it comes from pasture-raised cows that have not been treated with bovine growth hormones or artificial hormones to increase milk production.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Monterey Jack, White Cheddar |
| Texture | Semi-soft, rich |
| Flavour | Mild, buttery, tangy, nutty, cheesy |
| Melting Properties | Melts easily |
| Source of Milk | Pasture-reared cows |
| Manufacturers | Meister Cheese, Petaluma Creamery |
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Monterey Jack
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack cheese in its bowls, burritos, and tacos. This semi-soft or semi-hard cheese has a rich, smooth, and creamy texture, which makes it perfect for melting and gives Chipotle's dishes a coveted cheesy stretch. It has a mild, buttery, and slightly tangy flavour that complements the vibrant, bold, and zesty flavours of Mexican cuisine without overpowering them. Its high moisture and fat content make it ideal for melting as a topping or in a quesadilla or the Chipotle secret menu quesarito.
If you're looking to buy Monterey Jack to recreate Chipotle's dishes at home, it's recommended to get a block of cheese and shred it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well due to the addition of starches to prevent reconstitution. Some recommended brands include Joseph's Farms, Boar's Head, and Tillamook.
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White Cheddar
Chipotle does not disclose where its White Cheddar is produced or sourced from. However, the company affirms that all its cheeses, including White Cheddar, are sourced from pasture-raised cows that are not treated with rBST (bovine growth hormones). The dairy farms that supply milk for cheese production must adhere to Chipotle's ""Food with Integrity" standards, which prohibit the use of artificial hormones to increase milk yield. Antibiotics are only permitted for treating sick cows.
While the exact brand of White Cheddar used by Chipotle is not publicly known, some popular brands of Monterey Jack recommended by food bloggers include Joseph's Farms, Boar's Head, and Tillamook. These brands can be purchased in blocks and shredded at home, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well due to the addition of anti-caking agents.
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Cheese sources
Chipotle uses two types of cheese: Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The fast-casual chain's Monterey Jack cheese is made in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery. Chipotle does not specify where its White Cheddar is created or where the milk is sourced. However, the company states that all its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones).
Monterey Jack is a semi-soft, semi-hard cheese with a rich texture and a mild, buttery, and creamy flavour. It has subtle hints of tanginess that complement the vibrant flavours of Mexican cuisine. Its high moisture and fat content make it perfect for melting, adding a delightful creaminess to every bite. The cheese is also versatile, seamlessly blending with various ingredients without overpowering them.
White Cheddar, on the other hand, brings a sharper, tangier, and more pronounced taste to Chipotle's dishes. It can stand up to bolder ingredients, such as salsa or guacamole, without being overshadowed.
When used together, these two cheeses create a dynamic duo, elevating the cheesy experience to new heights. For example, in Chipotle's Queso Blanco, the two cheeses are blended with milk, peppers, and spices to create a gooey dip that customers happily pay extra for.
While Chipotle limits itself to using only 53 ingredients, the combination of Monterey Jack and White Cheddar adds depth and complexity to its dishes, ensuring a flavorful and satisfying experience.
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Cheese pairings
Chipotle uses two types of cheese in its bowls: Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The former is a semi-soft, semi-hard cheese with a mild, buttery, and creamy flavour profile. Its high moisture and fat content make it perfect for melting, giving that coveted cheesy stretch. This smooth and creamy nature complements the bold and zesty flavours of Mexican cuisine. Monterey Jack is also versatile, seamlessly blending with various ingredients without overpowering them.
White Cheddar, on the other hand, brings a sharper, tangier, and more pronounced taste to the bowl. This variety of cheese is famous for its complex flavour, which can stand up to bolder ingredients like salsa or guacamole. White Cheddar is simply what most Americans know as cheddar, but without the addition of annatto, which gives cheddar its classic orange hue.
When combined in Chipotle's bowls, these two cheeses add depth and complexity, ensuring a flavorful and satisfying experience. The mildness of Monterey Jack provides a versatile base, while the sharpness of White Cheddar adds a tangy kick, creating a dynamic duo that elevates the cheesy experience.
While Chipotle lists both cheeses as ingredients, the shredded cheese found in their burritos, bowls, and tacos is pure Monterey Jack. This cheese is sourced from small to midsize dairy farms in Wisconsin and California, with each farm adhering to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards, including the restriction of artificial hormones and antibiotics.
For those looking to recreate the Chipotle cheese experience at home, it is recommended to purchase a block of Monterey Jack and shred it yourself, as pre-shredded cheese may not melt as well due to the addition of starches. Some favourite brands for this variety include Joseph's Farms, Boar's Head, and Tillamook. To enhance the flavour even further, a pepper jack variety can be chosen for a spicy twist.
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Cheese texture
Chipotle uses two types of cheese in its bowls: Monterey Jack and White Cheddar. The former is the only cheese that is shredded and used in bowls, burritos, and tacos. It has a semi-soft texture, making it perfect for melting and giving the dishes a coveted cheesy stretch. Monterey Jack is also used in the Queso Blanco, which is a blend of Monterey Jack and White Cheddar.
Monterey Jack has a rich texture and a mild, buttery, and creamy flavour with subtle hints of tanginess. It is produced in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery, from pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones). Its smooth and creamy nature enhances the overall flavour profile of Chipotle's dishes, complementing the bold and zesty flavours of Mexican cuisine.
White Cheddar, on the other hand, is not available as a shredded option among the toppings. It is used in Chipotle's queso dip, which is a blend of the two cheeses, milk, and spices. White Cheddar has a sharper, tangier, and more complex flavour that can stand up to bolder ingredients.
The combination of these two cheeses adds depth and complexity to Chipotle's dishes, ensuring a flavourful and satisfying experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Chipotle uses Monterey Jack cheese for its bowls, burritos and tacos. The cheese is shredded and piled on top.
Monterey Jack has a mild, buttery and creamy flavour, with a semi-soft texture that makes it perfect for melting. Its rich texture and mild flavour pair well with the bolder ingredients in Chipotle's dishes, like salsa or seasoned proteins.
Yes, Chipotle uses White Cheddar in addition to Monterey Jack. The White Cheddar is not shredded and is used to make the chain's queso dip.
