Frederic Melton
Chipotle cheese is made with roasted chipotle peppers, pasteurized cow's milk, salt, granulated chipotle chiles, enzymes, and cultures. Chipotle uses two types of cheese: Monterey Jack and white cheddar. The Monterey Jack cheese is made in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery. The white cheddar is made from pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones), but the source is not specified.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Monterey Jack, White Cheddar |
| Manufacturer | Meister Cheese, Petaluma Creamery |
| Manufacturer Location | Wisconsin, California |
| Manufacturer Year of Establishment | 1908 |
| Manufacturer Specialty | Specialty, handcrafted, rich and creamy artisan cheese |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized cow's milk, salt, granulated chipotle chiles, enzymes, cultures |
| Nutrition Facts | Calories: 100, Fat Cal 80, Total Fat 8g (10% DV), Sat Fat 5g (25% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 25mg (8% DV), Sodium 170mg (7% DV), Total Carb 0g (0% DV), Fiber 0g, Sugars 0g, Protein 7g, Vit. D (0% DV) Calcium 209mg (16% DV), Iron (0% DV), Potas. (0% DV) |
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What You'll Learn
Monterey Jack cheese
Chipotle is known for its meat options, salsa varieties, and extras like guacamole. However, its cheese stands out as one of the key elements of its offerings. The chain uses shredded Monterey Jack cheese in its burritos, tacos, and bowls. This semi-hard cheese has a rich texture and a mild flavour, which pairs well with bolder ingredients like salsa or seasoned proteins. It is also a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine and is known for its high moisture and fat content, which makes it melt easily.
The Monterey Jack cheese used by Chipotle is made with pasteurized cow's milk, salt, granulated chipotle chiles, enzymes, and cultures. It has a smooth texture and a roasted pepper taste, making it a perfect complement to Mexican dishes. The cheese is available for purchase at grocery stores, although it may be challenging to find pre-shredded bags of it.
While Chipotle does not sell its cheese directly to customers, it is possible to find similar options at grocery stores or farmers' markets. The cheese is typically sold in large blocks, and customers can shred it themselves to achieve the desired consistency and taste. This ensures a better melting texture and avoids the starches added to pre-shredded cheese to prevent reconstitution.
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White cheddar
The colour of white cheddar can range from a pale ivory to a pale yellow or off-white shade. The milk used to produce this cheese comes from cows fed on hay and oats, contributing to its distinct colour and flavour profile. White cheddar is a popular variety in the United States, particularly in New York, where it is considered a classic. It is also produced in other states, including Wisconsin, California, Idaho, Vermont, and Texas.
While some consumers associate the term "white cheddar" with a specific flavour, this perception is influenced by marketing and consumer expectations. Food scientists and manufacturers often create proprietary blends of artificial flavourings to cater to these expectations, resulting in products labelled as "white cheddar flavour." However, these artificial flavours are not inherently linked to the absence or presence of annatto in the cheese.
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Roasted chipotle peppers
Chipotle cheese is made by adding roasted chipotle peppers to Monterey Jack cheese. This process creates a smooth, roasted pepper flavour. The peppers are first roasted, then added to the cheese, along with other ingredients such as pasteurised cow's milk, salt, granulated chipotle chillies, enzymes, and cultures. The result is a cheese with a rich texture and a mild flavour, which pairs well with bold ingredients like salsa or seasoned proteins.
The peppers are then peeled, removing the charred skin, and the seeds are removed. The seeds of chipotle peppers are what contain most of the heat, so removing them tames the spice level. The peppers are then chopped or pureed, and added to the cheese mixture. The amount of chipotle pepper added can vary depending on the desired level of spice and flavour. Some cheesemakers may also add other ingredients, such as garlic or onion powder, to enhance the flavour of the final product.
Roasting the peppers is an important step in the process as it not only adds flavour but also helps to preserve the peppers. The heat from the roasting process kills off any bacteria or mould that may be present, extending the shelf life of the peppers. This is especially important for cheesemakers, as the peppers need to be able to withstand the ageing process that many cheeses go through.
In addition to their use in cheese, roasted chipotle peppers are a popular ingredient in many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. They are often used in salsas, sauces, stews, and marinades, adding a smoky, spicy kick to the dish. They can also be rehydrated and used in place of fresh jalapeños in recipes. For those who enjoy spicy food, roasted chipotle peppers offer a convenient way to add a depth of flavour and a touch of heat.
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Milk from pasture-reared cows
Chipotle is known for its meat options, salsa varieties, and extras like guacamole, but its cheese stands out. The chain limits itself to using only 53 ingredients, and two of those key elements are Monterey Jack cheese and white cheddar. Chipotle's cheese is made from milk sourced from pasture-reared cows. The company states that its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones). The cows are also said to have constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter.
The fast-casual chain's Monterey Jack cheese is made in Wisconsin by Meister Cheese and in California by Petaluma Creamery. The company's smaller-scale cheese production is part of its continued emphasis on sourcing from family farms. Each of the small to mid-size dairy farms behind its Monterey Jack cheese must adhere to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards.
These standards include restrictions on the use of artificial hormones to increase milk output. Antibiotics are also restricted to only treating sick cows. This ensures that the milk used to make Chipotle's cheese is of high quality and free from artificial hormones that may be harmful to consumers.
Chipotle's commitment to using milk from pasture-reared cows reflects its focus on sourcing high-quality, natural ingredients. This also contributes to the rich texture and mild flavor of its cheeses, particularly its Monterey Jack cheese, which has become a staple in its burritos, tacos, and bowls. The high moisture and fat content of the milk allow the cheese to melt easily, making it a versatile topping or filling for various menu items.
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Meister Cheese and Petaluma Creamery suppliers
Chipotle cheese is made with chipotle peppers, which give the cheese a spicy, smoky flavour. One supplier of chipotle cheese is Meister Cheese, a fourth-generation, family-owned cheese company in Wisconsin that creates artisan cheese from responsibly-sourced dairy. They offer a Chipotle Cheddar, which is a semi-hard cheese with an earthy and nutty taste. The aging process gives the cheese a tangy, complex flavour and a firm, slightly crumbly texture. It pairs well with full-bodied red wine.
Another supplier of chipotle cheese is Petaluma Creamery, which has served local dairy farmers and producers for over 100 years. They produce artisanal cheese, ice cream, and butter, with their cheese, Petaluma Gold, being made in the traditional style. The milk they use is sustainably sourced. While it is not mentioned whether they produce a chipotle cheese, given that chipotle cheese is made with the addition of chipotle peppers to the cheese-making process, it is likely that Petaluma Creamery could produce chipotle cheese upon request.
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Frequently asked questions
Chipotle cheese is made from Monterey Jack cheese and roasted chipotle peppers. Other ingredients include pasteurized cow's milk, salt, enzymes, and cultures.
Chipotle sources its Monterey Jack cheese from Meister Cheese in Wisconsin and Petaluma Creamery in California. The company does not specify where its white cheddar comes from, but all of its cheeses come from pasture-reared cows raised without rBST (bovine growth hormones).
Chipotle uses shredded Monterey Jack cheese in its burritos, tacos, and bowls. The cheese is also used as a topping or as the main ingredient in a quesadilla or quesarito.
