Andy Montoya
Pizza Hut's six-cheese blend is a closely guarded secret, but we do know that the chain uses mozzarella, and that Leprino Foods is the sole supplier. Leprino Foods is the world's largest mozzarella company, and it also supplies cheese to Pizza Hut's competitors, Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars. Pizza Hut has come under fire for using part-skim mozzarella cheese, which is stretchy but lacks flavour. However, it is unclear if this specific type of mozzarella was used in the six-cheese blend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cheeses | 6 |
| Cheese Types | Mozzarella, Cheddar, Parmesan, Monterey Jack, Provolone, Fontina |
| Cheese Supplier | Leprino Foods |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is a key ingredient in Pizza Hut's cheese blend
Pizza Hut uses skim milk mozzarella on its pizzas in the USA, which is extremely stretchy but may lose some flavour. However, the type of mozzarella used may vary in other countries. In addition to mozzarella, Pizza Hut's triple cheese blend includes cheddar and Parmesan, giving the pizza a rich, creamy flavour. The cheese blend may also include Monterey Jack, provolone, and Asiago cheeses.
Leprino Foods has played a crucial role in developing cheese that meets the specific needs of Pizza Hut. For example, when Pizza Hut began using a hotter conveyor oven, Leprino Foods adjusted the cheese formula to prevent burning at higher temperatures. Additionally, Leprino Foods introduced a preservative mist to address the issue of Pizza Hut franchises not thawing pre-sliced mozzarella promptly, causing the cheese to crumble. This innovation not only prevented crumbling but also allowed for the addition of flavours such as salted caramel and jalapeño.
Mozzarella is clearly a central component of Pizza Hut's cheese blend, and Leprino Foods' ability to adapt their product to Pizza Hut's requirements has likely contributed to the successful partnership between the two companies.
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Cheddar is used to add flavour and colour
Pizza Hut's triple cheese blend includes cheddar, which is used to add flavour and colour. The blend also includes mozzarella and Parmesan, Provolone, Fontina, or Monterey Jack, depending on the source. The cheese blend gives the pizza a rich, creamy flavour.
Cheddar is a hard cheese with a strong flavour, and it is often combined with mozzarella to improve the taste and texture of pizza cheese. Pizza Hut uses skim milk mozzarella, which is stretchy but lacks some flavour. Full-fat mozzarella is typically used by more expensive pizzerias.
Leprino Foods, the company that makes Pizza Hut's cheese, has developed a method of adding flavour to the cheese by using a preservative mist. This allows them to add flavours such as salted caramel and jalapeño, and they can even make a reduced-fat "cheddar" by misting a mozzarella base with cheddar flavouring and orange food colouring.
The use of cheddar in Pizza Hut's cheese blend adds a strong, pungent flavour to the pizza. Cheddar is a hard cheese, so it helps to improve the texture of the pizza by making it more firm and less stretchy.
In conclusion, Pizza Hut's six-cheese blend includes cheddar, which is used to enhance the flavour and colour of the pizza. The addition of cheddar to the blend creates a rich, creamy, and flavourful pizza that appeals to cheese lovers.
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Parmesan is included in the blend
Parmesan is included in Pizza Hut's cheese blend. The pizza chain has been using cheese from Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella company, since its first store opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958.
Leprino Foods is owned and operated by the Leprino family, who started the business in the 1950s. The company's first major breakthrough was a preservative mist that helped solve Pizza Hut's problem of cheese crumbling after thawing presliced mozzarella. This innovation allowed Leprino Foods to add flavours such as salted caramel and jalapeño to the cheese.
The cheese blend used by Pizza Hut varies depending on the region. In the US, the chain uses skim milk mozzarella, which is stretchy but may lack some flavour. In contrast, more expensive pizzerias tend to use full-fat mozzarella.
In addition to mozzarella, Pizza Hut's triple cheese blend includes cheddar and Parmesan. This blend gives the pizza a rich, creamy flavour that appeals to cheese lovers. Parmesan, in particular, adds a strong, pungent flavour to the blend.
The inclusion of Parmesan in the blend may vary depending on the region and the specific pizza offering. However, it is generally recognised that Parmesan is a key component of Pizza Hut's cheese blend, contributing to the unique taste and texture that customers have come to expect from the popular pizza chain.
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Monterey Jack is another type of cheese used
Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese that is mild in flavour and melts easily, making it a popular choice for pizza toppings. It has a creamy texture and a slightly sweet taste, with a hint of saltiness. The cheese is named after its place of origin, Monterey, California, and has been a popular ingredient in American cuisine since the late 19th century.
The use of Monterey Jack in Pizza Hut's cheese blend adds a subtle sweetness and creaminess to the overall flavour profile of the pizza. It pairs well with the sharpness of cheddar and the stretchiness of mozzarella, creating a well-rounded and indulgent cheese combination.
Pizza Hut has been known to experiment with different cheese blends and flavours over the years, and the inclusion of Monterey Jack in their triple cheese blend is just one example of their innovation. The company has also faced some criticism for using part-skim mozzarella cheese, which some claim affects the taste and quality of the pizza. However, Pizza Hut has since announced that they will discontinue using the brand of mozzarella that caused these concerns.
Overall, the use of Monterey Jack in Pizza Hut's six-cheese blend adds a unique flavour and texture to their pizzas, contributing to the chain's signature taste and helping to satisfy the cravings of cheese enthusiasts worldwide.
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Leprino Foods is the sole supplier of Pizza Hut's cheese
Leprino Foods is the sole supplier of cheese for Pizza Hut, as well as other pizza giants like Domino's and Papa John's. The company was founded by Mike Leprino in 1950 as a family-owned market selling groceries and handmade cheese in Denver. It was first sold under the Gina Marie brand. James Leprino, the current owner, has grown the company to become the world's largest producer of mozzarella and pizza cheese.
Leprino Foods supplies over a billion pounds of cheese per year, generating $3 billion in revenue. The company has a laser focus on large pizza chains, which has allowed it to control up to 85% of the market for pizza cheese. Leprino's ability to supply to competing companies simultaneously has been a key factor in its success.
The company's cheeses include mozzarella, reduced-fat Monterey jack, provolone, reduced-fat cheddar, and various cheese blends. They supply cheese to pizza chains, frozen food manufacturers, and private-label cheese packagers. Leprino Foods was able to secure deals with these large pizza chains by standardizing portions and reducing costs.
Pizza Hut's six-cheese blend likely includes mozzarella, given that it is Leprino Foods' specialty and a common pizza topping. However, the other cheeses in the blend are not publicly known. It is speculated that Pizza Hut uses skim milk mozzarella, which is stretchy but may lack some flavour.
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