Frederic Melton
Papa John's is an American pizza restaurant chain that claims to use 100% real cheese made from mozzarella. The company has also stated that its cheese contains no fillers. However, some have questioned the authenticity of these claims, as the ingredients listed on Papa John's website for their cheese include not only pasteurized milk, cultures, salt, and enzymes, but also modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, and sodium citrate. These additional ingredients are not typically found in pure mozzarella cheese, and some believe they may be included to facilitate freezing or as fillers. Despite this, Papa John's maintains that its pizza sauce and dough are made with simple, fresh ingredients, and the company has gained a reputation for producing better pizza than standard fast-food fare.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella |
| Other Cheese Types Used | Provolone, Asiago, Fontina, Parmesan/Romano/Cheddar |
| Cheese Supplier | Leprino Foods |
| Other Ingredients | Modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, sodium citrate, cellulose, natamycin, sodium propionate, enzymes, skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, etc. |
| Sauce Ingredients | Vine-ripened tomatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, garlic, olive oil, spices, citric acid |
| Toppings | Sausage (no preservatives, artificial flavors, or bulking agents), vegetables (sliced in-store) |
| Dough | No chemical dough conditioners (e.g., sodium stearoyl lactylate, azodicarbonamide) |
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What You'll Learn
Papa John's uses part-skim mozzarella cheese
The mozzarella cheese used by Papa John's is supplied by Leprino Foods, which also supplies to other large pizza chains such as Pizza Hut and Domino's. Leprino Foods provides a variety of mozzarella options, including thin wisps of low-moisture mozzarella, a diced alternative, and an "artisanal" version.
Papa John's has made efforts to differentiate itself from other pizza chains by advertising its use of simple and fresh ingredients. For example, the company's pizza sauce is made from vine-ripened tomatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, garlic, olive oil, spices, and citric acid. Similarly, its sausage toppings are free from preservatives, artificial flavors, and cheap bulking agents.
In addition to its cheese and sauce, Papa John's dough is also prepared without chemical dough conditioners, setting it apart from standard fast food offerings. The company's commitment to using quality ingredients has contributed to its reputation for offering better pizza.
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The cheese is made from pasteurized milk and skim milk
Papa John's uses a variety of cheeses in its products, including mozzarella, provolone, asiago, fontina, parmesan, and Romano. The company has advertised its cheese as "100% real cheese made from mozzarella."
Mozzarella cheese, as well as other cheese varieties used by Papa John's, is made from pasteurized milk and skim milk. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time to destroy harmful bacteria and microorganisms. This process helps to ensure the safety and quality of the milk and cheese products.
Skim milk, also known as skimmed milk or nonfat milk, is milk that has undergone a separation process to remove most of the milk fat. This process gives the milk a lower fat content, typically reducing it to less than 0.5% milk fat. Skim milk is often used in cheese production, as it contributes to the desired texture and consistency of the final product.
In addition to pasteurized milk and skim milk, the process of making mozzarella cheese also involves the use of cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. These ingredients play a crucial role in the fermentation and flavor development of the cheese.
The use of pasteurized milk and skim milk in cheese production is a common practice in the food industry. It helps to ensure the safety and quality of the cheese, improves its texture and consistency, and contributes to its nutritional profile.
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Other ingredients include salt, enzymes, and cultures
Papa John's uses a variety of ingredients in its pizza, including cheese, dough, sauce, and toppings. The cheese used by Papa John's is made from mozzarella and includes other ingredients such as salt, enzymes, and cultures.
Salt is a common ingredient in cheese, and it plays a crucial role in the cheese-making process. It helps to draw out moisture, which can affect the texture and consistency of the cheese. Additionally, salt acts as a preservative, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and extending the shelf life of the cheese.
Enzymes are also essential in cheese production. They facilitate the breakdown of milk proteins, a process known as coagulation, which results in the separation of curds and whey. This step is critical in transforming milk into cheese. Different types of enzymes, such as rennet or microbial transglutaminase, may be used depending on the specific variety of cheese being produced.
Cultures, another vital component in cheese-making, refer to microorganisms like bacteria or mould. These cultures contribute to the distinct flavour and texture characteristics of the cheese. They aid in the fermentation process, breaking down sugars in the milk and producing lactic acid, which gives the cheese its characteristic tanginess. The specific combination and proportion of cultures influence the final taste and quality of the cheese.
The combination of salt, enzymes, and cultures in the cheese-making process allows Papa John's to achieve the desired flavour, texture, and shelf life for their mozzarella cheese. These ingredients work together to transform milk into the stretchy, savoury, and melt-in-your-mouth cheese that we associate with pizza.
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The pizza sauce is made with vine-ripened tomatoes, sunflower oil, and spices
Papa John's pizza sauce is made with a few simple ingredients, including vine-ripened tomatoes, sunflower oil, and spices. The sauce is a key component of the pizza, and the company takes pride in using high-quality, fresh ingredients.
The vine-ripened tomatoes used in the sauce are carefully selected for their rich flavour and texture. They are picked at the peak of ripeness, ensuring they are packed with flavour and have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. These tomatoes are then pureed or crushed to create a smooth and creamy base for the sauce.
Sunflower oil is another essential ingredient in the pizza sauce. It adds a subtle nutty flavour and a rich, creamy texture to the sauce. The oil also helps to distribute the heat evenly across the pizza, ensuring that it cooks consistently and results in a perfectly melted cheese topping.
Spices are also added to the sauce to enhance the flavour and create a unique taste profile. While the exact blend of spices is a closely guarded secret, some common spices used in pizza sauce include oregano, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. These spices add a depth of flavour that complements the other toppings and cheese.
In addition to these primary ingredients, the pizza sauce may also include other components such as sugar, salt, garlic, and citric acid. These ingredients work together to balance the flavours and enhance the overall taste experience.
The sauce is an important aspect of what makes Papa John's pizza unique. By using fresh, high-quality ingredients, the company ensures that their pizza sauce is packed with flavour and has a consistent, creamy texture. This attention to detail and commitment to quality is what sets Papa John's apart and has helped them build a loyal customer base.
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The dough is free from chemical dough conditioners
While Papa John's claims that its cheese is made from mozzarella, it is not 100% mozzarella cheese. The company's "100% real cheese" includes modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, sodium citrate, and the preservative sodium propionate, which are not ingredients typically found in real cheese. The cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, which also supplies cheese to Pizza Hut and Domino's.
Papa John's dough is free from chemical dough conditioners, setting it apart from other commercially produced bread products. The dough is not frozen and does not contain additives like sodium stearoyl lactylate or azodicarbonamide. Instead, it is made with simple ingredients, including water, cream, cheese, and small amounts of butter, dried garlic, dried onion, natural flavors, salt, spice, and xanthan gum.
The company's sauce is also made with simple ingredients, including vine-ripened tomatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, garlic, olive oil, spices, and citric acid. The sausage toppings are free from preservatives, artificial flavors, and cheap bulking agents like cornstarch or soy protein.
While Papa John's claims to use "real cheese," the presence of additional ingredients beyond those typically found in mozzarella suggests that it is not purely made from mozzarella. The company's dough, sauce, and toppings are made with relatively simple ingredients, which contributes to their "better" pizza claim. However, the cheese and other components have been the subject of scrutiny, with some questioning the accuracy of their labeling and the completeness of their ingredient disclosures.
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Frequently asked questions
Papa John's uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, which is made from pasteurized milk, skim milk, cultures, salt, and enzymes. The pizza chain has also been known to use other types of cheese, such as provolone, Asiago, and Fontina.
Papa John's advertises its cheese as "100% real cheese made from mozzarella" to differentiate itself from competitors, as it is made from simple ingredients and does not contain fillers or preservatives.
In addition to mozzarella, Papa John's "100% real cheese" includes modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, sodium citrate, and the preservative sodium propionate.
Leprino Foods, owned by billionaire James Leprino, supplies mozzarella cheese to Papa John's and its competitors, Pizza Hut and Domino's.
