Chipotle's Cheese: A Guide To The Perfect Topping

Chipotle's cheese is a topic of much discussion, with the Tex-Mex chain offering shredded cheese and queso to its customers. The shredded cheese is included in the price of a meal and is piled generously into burritos, on top of bowls, and into tacos. This cheese is Monterey Jack, a semi-hard, mild, and buttery cheese that melts easily. Chipotle's queso blanco, on the other hand, is a blend of Monterey Jack and white cheddar.

Monterey Jack is Chipotle's cheese of choice

Monterey Jack: Chipotle's Cheese of Choice

Chipotle's success can be attributed to many unique characteristics, including their small but mighty line-up of ingredients. Customers can choose from a handful of proteins, two types of rice and beans, a few salsas, veggies, and, of course, cheese. Whether you opt for a burrito, a salad bowl, or a gooey quesadilla, cheese is one of the most sought-after ingredients that Chipotle offers.

The shredded white cheese that Chipotle uses is commonly known as Monterey Jack. It is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. Chipotle's use of this cheese is not a secret, as it is written on their ingredients list, a handy list of all 53 ingredients on the menu and where they're used.

Monterey Jack is a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, having first been produced in California by Mexican Franciscan friars. It has a rich texture and a mild flavour, which pairs well with the bolder ingredients Chipotle offers, like salsa or seasoned proteins. Thanks to its high moisture and fat content, it melts easily, making it perfect for quesadillas or as a topping.

Chipotle's queso blanco, introduced in 2017, was originally made with aged cheddar and no processed ingredients. However, the texture was criticised as being too grainy, so the recipe was changed to include Monterey Jack, white cheddar, and a variety of peppers and spices. Now, the sauce is much creamier and has remained a menu favourite.

Clearly, when it comes to cheese, Chipotle fans are team Monterey Jack.

White cheddar is blended with Monterey Jack for queso

Chipotle's cheese options are a key part of its success. The fast-casual restaurant chain offers shredded cheese and queso blanco, a dippable cheese spread added to the menu in 2017. The original recipe for the queso was made with aged cheddar and no processed ingredients, but it was unpopular due to its grainy texture.

The current recipe for the queso blanco includes white cheddar blended with Monterey Jack. The white cheddar is what most Americans know as standard cheddar, without the addition of annatto, which gives cheddar its orange colour. White cheddar has a tangy and complex flavour, which can stand up to other bold Chipotle ingredients like salsa and guacamole. The chain uses an aged version of the cheese, giving the queso an overall sharper taste. This is balanced out by the Monterey Jack, which is semi-hard, mild, and made from cow's milk.

The combination of the two cheeses, along with milk and a variety of peppers and spices, creates the gooey, creamy queso dip that customers happily pay extra for.

Cheese is included in the price of your meal

Chipotle's shredded cheese is included in the price of your meal, but only up to a certain point. The cheese in question is the shredded white cheese, Monterey Jack, which is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk that melts well when exposed to heat. It is commonly used in quesadillas and queso dip.

Chipotle is known for its fresh ingredients and quick service, and cheese is one of the most sought-after ingredients the food chain offers. While a helping of shredded Monterey Jack cheese is offered to customers free of charge, it is not the only cheese on the menu. Chipotle also offers queso blanco, a dippable cheese spread introduced in 2017 after customer demand. This cheese comes at an extra cost, as does any other additional cheese beyond a certain amount.

The amount of shredded cheese included in the price of your meal is not an exact science and depends on the server. According to a Reddit user on the r/Chipotle page, they were told by an employee after asking multiple times for additional cheese, "Anything more than this would cost extra." Another commenter replied, "Unwritten rule, once you ask for more and more[,] after the third time[,] you'll most likely get charged." While Chipotle has not made any official claims concerning extra shredded cheese, employees have admitted that they are required to only give certain amounts of food per guest.

So, while cheese is included in the price of your meal, it is important to note that this only applies to a reasonable amount. Asking for excessive amounts of cheese may result in an additional charge.

Chipotle's cheese is sourced from small to midsize dairy farms

Chipotle is known for its commitment to serving food with integrity, prioritising responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredients. This commitment extends to their cheese offerings, which include a blend of Monterey Jack and White Cheddar.

The company sources its Monterey Jack cheese from small to midsize dairy farms in Wisconsin and California. These farms adhere to Chipotle's "Food with Integrity" standards, which include restrictions on the use of artificial hormones and antibiotics. The farms must also provide their herds with constant access to pastures, fresh water, and clean shelter.

By sourcing from smaller farms, Chipotle supports family-owned businesses and contributes to the local economy. The company also offers yearly seed grants to 50 young farmers, including dairy farmers who supply their cheese production. This emphasis on small-scale production and local sourcing aligns with Chipotle's values and sets them apart in the fast-casual industry.

Chipotle's dedication to sourcing cheese from small to midsize dairy farms ensures that the company receives high-quality, responsibly produced cheese while supporting local agriculture and upholding its commitment to serving food with integrity. This approach has helped Chipotle establish itself as a leader in the fast-casual market, offering customers not just delicious food but also peace of mind knowing that their meal was sourced and prepared with care and ethical considerations.

Monterey Jack is semi-hard and melts well

Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese that is made from cow's milk. It has a rich texture and a mild, buttery flavour. Its high moisture and fat content mean it melts very well when exposed to heat, making it perfect for quesadillas and queso dip. It is also a popular topping for burritos, tacos, and bowls.

Monterey Jack is the primary cheese used by Chipotle in its dishes. The chain uses shredded Monterey Jack, which is piled into burritos, sprinkled on top of bowls, and stuffed into tacos. Chipotle's use of this cheese is likely due to its semi-hard texture, which makes it easy to shred, and its excellent melting properties. The cheese adds a creamy texture and a salty, nutty flavour to the dishes, complementing the other ingredients without being overwhelming.

Monterey Jack is particularly well-suited for Tex-Mex cuisine, which is known for its bold and spicy flavours. The cheese was first produced in California by Mexican Franciscan friars and has since become a staple in American cuisine. Its versatility, mild flavour, and melting properties make it a popular choice for various dishes, from quesadillas to dips.

When shredded from a block, Monterey Jack has an even better melt, enhancing the taste and texture of the dish. This is in contrast to pre-shredded cheese, which often has starch added to it to prevent clumping and can affect its melting properties. For this reason, those seeking to recreate the Chipotle experience at home are advised to purchase a block of Monterey Jack and shred it themselves.

In conclusion, Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese with excellent melting properties, making it ideal for dishes where cheese is a key ingredient, such as quesadillas and queso dip. Its mild flavour and creamy texture also make it a versatile topping that can enhance the taste of bolder ingredients without overwhelming them. These characteristics, along with its shreddability, make it the cheese of choice for Chipotle's popular Mexican-inspired dishes.

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