Bushra Griffith
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, and the cheese is often the star of the show. While there are many types of cheese that can be used on pizza, mozzarella is the most popular variety globally and in the US. However, it is estimated that only 30% of pizza cheese used in the US is actual mozzarella, with the rest being other varieties or cheese substitutes. Mozzarella is known for its mild flavour, creamy consistency, and excellent meltability, resulting in the desired stretchy, stringy texture when pulled or bitten into. Other popular pizza cheeses include provolone, cheddar, parmesan, emmental, pecorino romano, and ricotta.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular cheese | Mozzarella |
| Second most popular cheese | Provolone |
| Other popular cheeses | Cheddar, Parmesan, Emmental, Pecorino Romano, Ricotta, Havarti, Gorgonzola, Provel, Fontina, Muenster, Gouda |
| Cheese used in the US | 30% of all pizza cheese used in the US is mozzarella |
| Cheese used in frozen pizzas | 75% of frozen pizzas contain cheese substitutes |
| Cheese used in Detroit-style pizza | Wisconsin brick cheese |
| Cheese used in Mac and Cheese Pizza | Cheddar |
| Cheese used in Classic Cheese Pizza | Mozzarella, Parmesan |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is the most popular pizza cheese
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, with its near-perfect consistency and straightforward flavour. It is sold in both fresh and low-moisture variations, each offering unique characteristics. Low-moisture mozzarella has a longer shelf life, stronger flavour, and is easier to melt, while fresh mozzarella is creamier and must be consumed within a few days of being made.
Mozzarella is cherished for its mild and fresh flavours, and its creamy consistency. It is also well-known for its stretchability, with its signature meltability and stringy quality when melted and pulled or bitten into. This is achieved by its soft texture, which is similar to other spun-curd cheeses.
Mozzarella is often used in combination with other cheeses, such as provolone, which is the second most popular pizza cheese. This blend is used by many pizzerias and offers both stretch and flavour. Cheddar is also a popular addition to mozzarella, as it preserves chewiness and adds a sharp flavour.
While mozzarella is the most popular pizza cheese globally, it is estimated that only 30% of pizza cheese used in the United States is actual mozzarella. This is due to the use of analogue or substitute cheeses, which are quicker and cheaper to produce and designed to melt well and remain chewy.
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Cheddar is a great addition to any pizza
While mozzarella is the most popular pizza cheese globally, it is not the only option. Cheddar is a great addition to any pizza. Its sharp flavours and strong presence can enhance the flavours of all other ingredients. Cheddar is a particularly good choice for those who prefer a more intense taste, as its deep flavours can add an extra kick to a recipe. Its rich, smooth texture and strong character make it a cherished classic.
Cheddar is a versatile cheese that goes well with both mild and spicy ingredients. It can be used as a main ingredient or as a garnish, and it is a popular choice for comfort foods such as mac and cheese pizza. When mixed with mozzarella, cheddar helps to preserve the chewiness of the pizza. It is also a good option for those who want a more pronounced flavour, as its assertive taste can be a great complement to other toppings.
While mozzarella is known for its meltability and stretch, some people may find it too plain. Cheddar, on the other hand, offers a more nuanced and rich flavour that can take a pizza to the next level. Its salt crystals can add a bite to the pizza, and its smooth texture can create a wonderful contrast to the other toppings.
In addition to its great taste, cheddar is also a practical choice for pizza. It has a longer shelf life than mozzarella, which can be convenient for those who want to make their pizza ahead of time or store leftovers. It is also a good option for those who want to shred their own cheese, as it is sold in blocks that can be easily grated.
So, if you're looking to mix up your pizza routine, why not give cheddar a try? Its intense flavour and smooth texture might just make it your new favourite pizza cheese.
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Provolone is the second most popular pizza cheese
Pizza is a beloved dish for many, and while there are many variations, cheese pizza is a classic. The most popular cheese used on pizza is mozzarella, which is known for its mild flavour, straightforward taste, and gooey, stringy texture when melted. However, Provolone is a close second.
Provolone is a pale, Italian cheese with a sharper taste than mozzarella. It is named after the Po Valley, a region in Italy where most provolone is produced. There are two types of provolone: dolce and piccante. Provolone dolce is aged for only two months, resulting in a mild, sweet flavour. On the other hand, provolone piccante is aged longer, giving it a sharper taste that makes it a popular choice for pizza. When used on pizza, provolone is often blended with mozzarella to create a more complex flavour profile and add depth to the pizza.
While mozzarella may be the most popular cheese for pizza globally, it is estimated that in the United States, only about 30% of pizza cheese used is actual mozzarella. Provolone steps in as the second most popular choice, followed by other cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and feta. These cheeses are often blended with mozzarella to enhance their melting properties and create unique flavour combinations.
The versatility of provolone makes it a favourite for pizza lovers. Its sharpness complements the sweetness of tomato sauce, and its melting properties create the perfect gooey texture that is desired in a pizza. Provolone is also used in processed pizza cheeses, such as Provel, which is a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses. This blend is designed to melt well and remain chewy, making it a popular choice for mass-produced pizzas.
In conclusion, while mozzarella takes the crown as the most popular pizza cheese, provolone is a strong contender in second place. With its sharp flavour and melting qualities, provolone adds a unique twist to the traditional cheese pizza. Blended with mozzarella or used on its own, provolone is a delicious option for those looking to switch up their pizza toppings and explore new flavour profiles.
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Parmesan is a savoury, salty addition to pizza
Mozzarella is the most popular pizza cheese globally, but Parmesan is also a common choice. Parmesan is a savoury, salty addition to pizza, and can be added to the top of a pizza or used as a base for the crust.
While mozzarella is mild in flavour, Parmesan is a hard, strongly-flavoured cheese. It is often grated and added to the top of a pizza, where it typically does not melt well. It can be added before or after cooking, and some recipes suggest adding it before and after for a double hit of flavour. It can also be sprinkled on at the table, according to personal preference.
Some recipes suggest adding Parmesan to the base of the pizza, where it adds a layer of flavour and texture. It can be scattered in a thin layer in the pan before the dough is added, and then baked. This technique works particularly well for thicker-crust pizzas, and the low moisture level of Parmesan means it crisps up nicely.
Parmesan is a versatile cheese that can be added to pizzas in multiple ways, and its strong flavour means a little goes a long way. It can be used to add depth to pizzas with vegetable toppings, or to complement an olive oil base. It can also be used in combination with other cheeses, such as mozzarella, cheddar, Gruyère, or pecorino romano.
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Analogue pizza cheese is a cheaper alternative
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza globally, with provolone coming in second place. However, analogue pizza cheese, a pasteurized and processed cheese-like product, is a cheaper alternative that is often used on mass-produced pizzas in North America and the United Kingdom. Analogue pizza cheese is designed to melt well and remain chewy, and it can be produced more quickly and at a lower cost than real cheese. It can also be formulated for processing with less sophisticated cheese-making equipment than is required for mozzarella cheese.
Analogue pizza cheese is not considered "real" cheese and is sometimes referred to as "cheese analogue," especially in the UK. It is made with simple mixing and molding techniques and may be formulated with casein, a by-product of milk, and vegetable oil, rather than milk fat. Some analogue pizza cheeses are made using a process similar to cream cheese production, and the product is heated to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time to cause the proteins in the mix to gel.
While mozzarella is the most popular cheese for pizza, it is not the only option. Other cheeses that can be used on pizza include cheddar, Parmesan, Emmental, pecorino romano, and ricotta. These cheeses can be used as toppings or blended with mozzarella to create different flavour and texture profiles. For example, a combination of mozzarella and cheddar may result in less blistering when cooked compared to other cheese combinations due to the lower elasticity of cheddar.
Mozzarella is known for its stretchability and meltability, which are desirable qualities in a pizza cheese. However, some people may find it too plain in flavour. Low-moisture mozzarella is often used on pizzas because it has a longer shelf life, stronger flavours, and easier melting compared to fresh mozzarella. It also provides the desired stretchiness that is characteristic of pizza cheese.
In summary, analogue pizza cheese is a cheaper alternative to traditional pizza cheeses like mozzarella. It is designed to have similar melting and textural properties to real cheese, but it can be produced more quickly and at a lower cost. However, it is important to note that analogue pizza cheese may not have the same flavour and nutritional qualities as real cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella is the most popular cheese used on pizzas, with provolone coming in second.
Low-moisture mozzarella is the best option for pizza as it has a longer shelf life, stronger flavour, and is easier to melt.
Yes, other popular cheeses used on pizzas include cheddar, Parmesan, Emmental, and pecorino romano.
