Kamil Perry
Pizza Hut is a popular pizza chain that primarily uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. The type of mozzarella cheese used by Pizza Hut has been a topic of discussion and speculation among pizza enthusiasts. Some sources indicate that Pizza Hut uses part-skim or skim milk mozzarella, which is known for its stretchy texture but may compromise on flavour. Other sources suggest that Pizza Hut sources its mozzarella cheese from Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. While the exact type of cheese used by Pizza Hut may vary across different regions, the chain has stated that its pizzas contain part-skim mozzarella, also called pizza cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella |
| Mozzarella type | Part-skim |
| Fat content | Low |
| Stretchiness | High |
| Flavour | Low |
| Cheese producer | Leprino Foods |
| Cheese ingredients | Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, sodium propionate |
| Enzyme source | Microbial fermentation |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut uses mozzarella cheese
Pizza Hut sources its part-skim mozzarella cheese from Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods is based in Colorado and its pizza cheese is made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
The use of part-skim mozzarella is a common choice among pizza chains, as it is more affordable and accessible than whole-milk mozzarella. Whole-milk mozzarella is often preferred by high-end pizzerias as it melts better and has a richer flavour, but it can be challenging to find in stores and has a shorter shelf life.
While mozzarella is the primary cheese used by Pizza Hut, some of its specialty pizzas also contain Parmesan Romano cheese. This blend is added to P'Zones, Breadsticks, and the Ultimate Cheese Pizza, as well as some dine-in products. It is important to note that Pizza Hut does not claim any of its products to be vegetarian or vegan due to the common preparation and cooking areas with meat products.
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It is reportedly part-skim mozzarella
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas. This variety of mozzarella is also called pizza cheese and is produced by the company Leprino Foods, which is based in Colorado and claims to be the largest mozzarella producer in the world.
Part-skim mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. It is also more readily available to consumers than whole-milk mozzarella, which is often difficult to find in local grocery stores. Part-skim mozzarella usually does not contain any cholesterol, but it does have sodium, with a quarter-cup serving containing around 210 milligrams of sodium and 6 grams of total fat.
Mozzarella cheese is typically available in three varieties: part-skim, fat-free, and whole milk. Whole-milk mozzarella is often preferred by chefs and high-end pizzerias because it melts better and has a richer flavor. However, it is more expensive, and the pre-shredded variety contains anti-caking agents that can affect the melting of the cheese.
Pizza Hut does not claim that any of its products are vegetarian or vegan, as they are all prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven. However, the chain does offer the option of requesting additional caution when preparing products for guests with dietary concerns.
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The cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods
Pizza Hut, like other pizza restaurants, uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. The cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, a company based in Colorado, which is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods supplies part-skim mozzarella cheese, also called pizza cheese, to Pizza Hut. This type of mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella and is commonly used by pizza chains due to its longer shelf life and lower cost.
Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese has been a subject of controversy, as a report by The Milkwood magazine in 2006 suggested that it contains polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial silicone chemical not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. However, Pizza Hut has stated that its cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
While Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese, the company has stated that it is looking into options. The chain uses a Parmesan Romano cheese blend in some of its products, which contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet. Customers can request that these blends not be added to their pizzas if desired.
The unique taste and texture of Pizza Hut's cheese have sparked discussions among pizza enthusiasts, with some speculating that the chain uses a custom-made cheese specifically for commercial use.
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Leprino Foods is based in Colorado
Leprino Foods, the company that supplies cheese to Pizza Hut, is based in Colorado. It is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. The company supplies Pizza Hut with part-skim mozzarella cheese, also known as pizza cheese. This type of mozzarella is made from pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
Mozzarella cheese is available in several varieties, including part-skim, fat-free, and whole milk. Whole milk mozzarella is often preferred by chefs and high-end pizzerias because it melts better and has a richer flavor. However, it can be challenging to find in stores, so many people and restaurants opt for part-skim mozzarella, which is more readily available.
Part-skim mozzarella has a lower fat and calorie content compared to whole-milk mozzarella. It also has a higher moisture level, which affects the texture and taste of the pizza. In the United States, most mozzarella cheese is "low-moisture," with a moisture content between 45-52%. This type of mozzarella is dried, aged, and sold in blocks instead of balls, resulting in a longer shelf life.
Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese has been the subject of some controversy. In 2006, a report by The Milkwood magazine suggested that their cheese uses polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial silicone chemical not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. This raised concerns about the safety and suitability of the cheese for human consumption.
Despite this controversy, Leprino Foods' Colorado-based operations continue to supply Pizza Hut with the part-skim mozzarella cheese that gives their pizzas their distinctive taste. The company's location in Colorado provides strategic advantages in terms of logistics and distribution, ensuring that Pizza Hut restaurants across the country can consistently offer their customers the same cheese experience.
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Pizza Hut's cheese is not vegan-friendly
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas, which is produced by Leprino Foods. Leprino Foods is a company based in Colorado and is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. According to Pizza Hut, its part-skim mozzarella cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
While the microbial enzymes used in Pizza Hut's cheese are not of animal origin, the presence of animal-based rennet in the Parmesan Romano cheese blend means that the cheese is not suitable for vegans. This blend is added to several Pizza Hut products, and while customers can request that it not be added, the potential for cross-contamination during preparation and cooking means that the final product cannot be guaranteed to be vegan-friendly.
In addition, Pizza Hut has stated that it does not offer vegan cheese as an option at this time, although the company is looking into alternatives. This further reinforces that Pizza Hut's cheese is not currently vegan-friendly, and individuals adhering to a strict vegan diet should refrain from consuming it.
It is worth noting that Pizza Hut has expressed consideration for guests with dietary concerns, stating that their team will use additional caution when preparing products for these individuals upon request. However, the absence of vegan cheese options and the risk of cross-contamination with non-vegan ingredients during preparation and cooking make it evident that Pizza Hut's cheese is not vegan-friendly.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on the majority of its pizzas. Some of its specialty pizzas contain Parmesan romano cheese.
Part-skim mozzarella cheese has less fat and calories than whole-milk mozzarella cheese. A quarter-cup serving of shredded part-skim mozzarella has 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat.
Most Pizza Hut chains use mozzarella cheese produced by Leprino Foods, a company based in Colorado.
