Bushra Griffith
Pizza Hut is a popular pizza chain that uses a specific type of cheese on its pizzas, which has sparked curiosity among customers and pizza enthusiasts. The cheese used by Pizza Hut is notably different from the traditional mozzarella found in most pizzerias, and its distinctive texture and flavour have intrigued many. Some have speculated that Pizza Hut uses a custom-made cheese, while others have suggested that it sources its cheese from specific suppliers. This topic explores the mysteries behind the mushy cheese that has become synonymous with Pizza Hut's signature pizzas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Part-skim mozzarella |
| Cheese Producer | Leprino Foods |
| Consistency | Stretchy |
| Flavor | Less flavor than full-fat mozzarella |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, sodium propionate |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut's cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods
Leprino Foods has a vast reach in the pizza industry, supplying cheese to 85% of the pizza market, including major pizza chains such as Pizza Hut, Domino's, Little Caesars, Papa John's, and more. Leprino's success in the pizza cheese market can be attributed to its ability to standardize portions and control costs for its customers. Additionally, Leprino has shown adaptability by modifying its cheese formula when Pizza Hut transitioned to using hotter conveyor ovens to prevent the cheese from burning at higher temperatures.
The mozzarella cheese supplied by Leprino Foods to Pizza Hut is part-skim mozzarella, also known as pizza cheese. This variety of mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories compared to whole-milk mozzarella. Pizza Hut's cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
While Leprino Foods has been successful in dominating the pizza cheese market, there have been concerns about the ingredients used in its cheese. In 2006, a report by "The Milkwood" magazine suggested that Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese contains polydimethylsiloxane, an industrial silicone chemical that is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food.
Despite the controversy, Leprino Foods remains a pivotal player in the pizza industry, with its cheese being a key ingredient in the pizzas served by well-known chains like Pizza Hut. The company's ability to cater to the specific needs of its customers and its vast production scale has solidified its position as a major supplier of cheese in the highly competitive pizza market.
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The cheese is made from pasteurized skim milk
Pizza Hut uses pasteurized skim milk mozzarella on its pizzas in the USA. This type of mozzarella is also called part-skim mozzarella or pizza cheese. It has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. A quarter-cup serving of shredded part-skim mozzarella has 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat. It also has no carbohydrates and is a good source of protein, with nearly 8 grams per serving.
Part-skim mozzarella is typically used by Pizza Hut and other large pizza chains because it is a low-cost option that retains its chewiness after heating. Using a higher-quality, full-fat cheese would result in a greasier pizza as the cheese would release its oils during cooking. Skim milk mozzarella is also extremely stretchy, making it ideal for American-style pizza. However, it does lose some flavour as a trade-off for its stretchiness.
Pizza Hut sources its mozzarella cheese from Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods is based in Colorado and supplies cheese to other large pizza chains such as Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars. The company's low-moisture mozzarella is sold dried and aged in blocks instead of balls, which gives it a longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella.
Leprino Foods does not disclose the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese, but Pizza Hut has reported that, in addition to pasteurized skim milk, the cheese contains cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
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It is a part-skim, low-moisture mozzarella
Pizza Hut uses part-skim, low-moisture mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. This type of mozzarella is also known as "pizza cheese". It has a lower butterfat content than whole-milk mozzarella but still has a great flavour and melts well. Part-skim mozzarella typically has fewer calories and less fat than whole-milk mozzarella. For example, a quarter-cup serving of shredded part-skim mozzarella has 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat. It also has no carbohydrates and is a good source of protein, with almost 8 grams per serving.
Part-skim mozzarella is often used by consumers and pizzerias as whole-milk mozzarella can be difficult to find in grocery stores and usually has a short shelf life. It is also recommended that fresh mozzarella is bought in blocks and shredded yourself, as pre-shredded whole-milk mozzarella has anti-caking agents added to it to prevent shreds from clumping together in the package, which results in less-than-ideal melting.
Pizza Hut's part-skim mozzarella cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate. It is produced by Leprino Foods, a company based in Colorado and the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world.
Leprino Foods has been criticized for the ingredients it uses in its mozzarella cheese. In 2006, the magazine "The Milkwood" suggested that the company uses polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical that is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food.
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The cheese is pre-shredded and frozen
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, also known as pizza cheese. This cheese is produced by Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. The cheese is made from pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
Leprino Foods supplies frozen, pre-sliced blocks of cheese to Pizza Hut. This cheese is pre-shredded and frozen before being delivered to the pizza chain. Pre-shredded cheese is not ideal for pizza as manufacturers add anti-caking agents to prevent the shreds from clumping together. This can result in less-than-ideal melted cheese. However, using pre-shredded cheese saves time and effort for Pizza Hut franchises, ensuring consistent portions across all locations.
Mozzarella cheese is typically available in three varieties: part-skim, fat-free, and whole milk. Whole milk mozzarella is preferred by many chefs and high-end pizzerias as it melts better and has a richer flavor. However, it can be challenging to find in grocery stores, and part-skim mozzarella is a more common option for consumers.
Pizza Hut's use of pre-shredded, part-skim mozzarella contributes to the distinctive texture and taste of their pizzas. The cheese retains its chewiness after heating, a characteristic favored by American consumers. While some may consider the use of pre-shredded cheese a compromise on quality, it is a practical choice for a large pizza chain like Pizza Hut, allowing for consistency and cost-effectiveness.
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It is mixed with other cheeses
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, also known as pizza cheese, on its pizzas in the USA. This type of mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. It is also stretchier than whole-milk mozzarella, but it loses a little on the flavour end.
Mozzarella cheese is available in part-skim, fat-free, or whole-milk varieties. Whole-milk mozzarella can be difficult to find in grocery stores and usually has a short shelf life, so many people opt for part-skim mozzarella instead.
Mozzarella cheese sold in stores is often skim milk mozzarella, which has a low moisture content (45-52% water). This is ideal for American-style pizza as fresh mozzarella has a high moisture content, which can result in a soggy pizza.
Pizza Hut sources its cheese from Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella company, based in Colorado. Leprino Foods supplies Pizza Hut with frozen, pre-sliced blocks of cheese to help the franchise cut costs and standardize portions.
Leprino Foods also supplies Pizza Hut with other varieties of mozzarella cheese, including thin wisps of low-moisture mozzarella, a diced alternative, and an "artisanal" version. They also supply flavoured cheeses made with a mozzarella base, such as provolone, cheddar, and Monterey Jack.
While Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, some people prefer to use whole milk mozzarella on their pizzas, as it has a richer flavour. However, using a higher quality cheese may result in a greasier pizza as it releases more oils.
Some people also choose to mix mozzarella with other cheeses to create a unique flavour and texture. For example, combining mozzarella with a hard cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack can enhance the taste of the pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
The cheese from Pizza Hut is mozzarella, specifically part-skim mozzarella, also called pizza cheese.
Part-skim mozzarella is made from skim milk, which has less fat and fewer calories than whole milk.
Part-skim mozzarella is less expensive than full-fat mozzarella and retains its chewiness after heating without becoming greasy.
Pizza Hut sources its cheese from Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world.
The cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
