Pizza Hut's Cheesy Delights: The Perfect Topping Combinations

Pizza Hut is known for its unique blend of cheeses, which has become a signature part of their pizzas. The chain primarily uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, also known as pizza cheese, sourced from LePrino Foods, the largest mozzarella producer in the world. This switch from whole slices to shredded cheese was made to optimise the pizza-building process, allowing for a more even distribution of cheese and faster melting.

However, Pizza Hut has also been subject to scrutiny over the ingredients in their cheese, with reports suggesting the presence of an unapproved industrial chemical. Pizza Hut and LePrino Foods have denied these claims, stating that they comply with FDA regulations.

The cheese blend has become a defining feature of Pizza Hut's pizzas, with many attempting to replicate the taste at home.

Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese

Mozzarella cheese is available in part-skim, fat-free, or whole milk varieties. Part-skim mozzarella cheese has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella cheese. A quarter-cup serving of shredded part-skim mozzarella has 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat. It also contains no carbohydrates and is a good source of protein, with nearly 8 grams per serving.

Pizza Hut's cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. The company is based in Colorado. Pizza Hut used to receive whole slices of LePrino's 100% mozzarella cheese, but as the company grew, it needed a more consistent way to spread the cheese on top of the sauce. This led to LePrino sending over a bag of shredded cheese, which shaved valuable time off the build process, allowed the cheese to melt evenly, and altered the way pizzas were made forever.

Pizza Hut also offers a 6-cheese blend, although it is unclear what the other cheeses are.

LePrino Foods is Pizza Hut's cheese supplier

Pizza Hut, like other pizza restaurants, uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. The chain states that it uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas, with some specialty pizzas containing Parmesan romano cheese.

LePrino Foods' lite mozzarella cheese ingredients are not listed by the company. However, Pizza Hut reports that the cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.

There have been concerns over the ingredients of LePrino's cheese. In 2006, a report by The Milkwood magazine suggested that LePrino Foods used polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical not approved by the FDA for use in food. However, LePrino Foods has denied this, stating that they fully comply with FDA regulations.

While Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, many chefs and high-end pizzerias prefer whole milk mozzarella cheese as it melts better and has a richer flavor. Whole milk mozzarella can be challenging to find in grocery stores, so part-skim mozzarella is a more common alternative.

Sargento is another cheese brand Pizza Hut uses for sandwiches

Sargento is a brand of low-moisture whole milk mozzarella, which is harder to find for consumers. This type of cheese is ideal for pizza-making as it melts evenly and provides a consistent layer of cheese. Pizza Hut employees have confirmed that they use Sargento cheese for their sandwiches.

Pizza Hut has offered hot submarine sandwiches in the past, and these reportedly included cheese. One of the sandwiches included salami, ham, mozzarella cheese, tomato, lettuce, and creamy Italian dressing. Another sandwich option included deli-sliced ham, Genoa salami, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, and creamy Italian dressing. These sandwiches were served with Lays chips and a pickle spear.

While Pizza Hut may not currently offer sandwiches on their menu, the use of Sargento cheese for their sandwiches in the past suggests that this brand of cheese was an important component of these menu items.

Pizza Hut's cheese has been the subject of controversy

In 2006, a report by the magazine "The Milkwood" suggested that Pizza Hut's cheese supplier, LePrino Foods, used polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical, in its mozzarella cheese. This chemical is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. "The Milkwood" based this claim on a patent from 1988 in which LePrino Foods stated its ingredients and process of making pizza cheese.

LePrino Foods denied these allegations, stating that no such chemical is used in the processing of its mozzarella cheese and that the company fully complies with FDA regulations. The company is based in Colorado and is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world, according to its website.

Pizza Hut's cheese supplier's addressal of the concerns over their cheese's ingredients has sparked controversy. While some believe that LePrino Foods' denial of using unapproved chemicals is sufficient, others may question the ingredients and processes used in making the cheese. This controversy has led to a debate about the safety and quality of the cheese used by Pizza Hut, a well-known pizza chain.

Pizza Hut's use of shredded cheese has also been a topic of discussion. The company used to receive whole slices of LePrino's 100% mozzarella cheese but switched to shredded cheese to optimize the pizza-building process and provide a more even covering of cheese on their pizzas. This change altered the way pizzas were made forever and sparked a debate about the impact of operational needs on ingredient quality and the potential loss of authenticity in pizza-making.

Whole milk mozzarella is used by many chefs and high-end pizzerias

Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas. However, many chefs and high-end pizzerias opt for whole milk mozzarella. This is because whole milk mozzarella has a richer flavour and melts better.

Whole milk mozzarella is not usually available in local grocery stores, so it can be challenging to source. It also has a short shelf life, which is why it is not commonly found in supermarkets. It is typically purchased in bulk by restaurants.

Whole milk mozzarella is often favoured by chefs and high-end pizzerias because it produces a superior pizza. It is a key ingredient in creating a pizza with the perfect texture and taste.

The type of mozzarella used can significantly impact the overall quality of the pizza. For example, pre-shredded whole milk mozzarella is not ideal for pizza as it contains anti-caking agents that can affect the cheese's ability to melt evenly.

Chefs and high-end pizzerias are also more likely to grate their own cheese, ensuring it is freshly shredded and has the optimal moisture content. This attention to detail and use of higher-quality ingredients elevate the pizza-making process and the final product.

While Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella, it is still a popular choice for many, and the company has maintained its success over the years. However, for those seeking a richer flavour and superior melt, whole milk mozzarella is the preferred option, and it is this variety that is used by many chefs and high-end pizzerias.

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