Imo's Pizza: What's The Cheesy Secret?

Imo's Pizza is famous for its unique cheese blend, which has become a staple in St. Louis, Missouri. The cheese in question is Provel®, a combination of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses. This blend creates a gooey, creamy, and smoky flavour that has come to define the Original St. Louis Style Pizza. Provel® was first invented in St. Louis in 1947 and has since become an iconic part of the city's culinary identity, with Imo's Pizza being one of its biggest proponents.

Provel cheese is a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone

Imo's Pizza is famous for its signature Provel® cheese, a unique blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. This combination creates a gooey, creamy, and deliciously cheesy experience with a low melting point, making it ideal for pizza as it melts smoothly without becoming stringy. The result is a luscious, buttery coating across the pizza.

Provel cheese was invented in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1947, and has since become deeply ingrained in the city's culinary identity. Its origins are debated, but it is theorized that it emerged from a blend of Old World Italian traditions and New World technology. One of the strongest claims regarding its creation is attributed to Hoffman Dairy in Wisconsin, which purportedly partnered with local St. Louis restaurateur Tony Costa. According to this account, Provel was crafted specifically for pizza in the 1940s.

Ed Imo, the founder of Imo's Pizza, first encountered Provel in the 1960s and was so impressed that he made it the signature cheese of his pizzeria when it opened in 1964. The use of Provel cheese is a defining characteristic of St. Louis-style pizza, which is known for its thin, crispy, and crunchy crust, topped edge-to-edge with toppings and layered with Provel cheese. The pizza is then cut into squares, a traditional slice shape in St. Louis, making it perfect for sharing.

The popularity of Imo's Pizza and its signature Provel cheese has spread beyond St. Louis, with people outside the city ordering the pizza to get a taste of this unique cheese experience. The cheese has a creamy, buttery, and subtly rich flavor, with a texture that is soft, gooey, and tangy when melted. It has become a beloved part of St. Louis cuisine, with many locals cherishing its distinctiveness and versatility.

Provel cheese, with its blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone, has become an iconic symbol of St. Louis' culinary culture, offering a one-of-a-kind taste experience that has won over the hearts of locals and visitors alike.

It was invented in St. Louis in 1947

Imo's Pizza is famous for its use of Provel cheese, a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. Provel was invented in St. Louis in 1947 and has since become an iconic part of the city's culinary identity. Its origins are debated, but it is theorized that it emerged from a convergence of Old World Italian traditions and New World technology.

Provel cheese is a key component of St. Louis-style pizza, which is characterized by its thin, crispy, and crunchy crust. The cheese is known for its gooey, creamy, and deliciously cheesy texture and flavor. It has a low melting point, which makes it ideal for pizza as it melts evenly without becoming stringy. This results in a luscious coating across the top of the pizza, enhancing the overall taste experience.

The story of Provel cheese's creation is intriguing and adds to its allure. It is believed that Hoffman Dairy in Wisconsin partnered with local St. Louis restaurateur Tony Costa to invent this unique blend of cheeses specifically for pizza in the 1940s. Costa owned an establishment called Costa's Grocery in the Hill, a traditional Italian American neighborhood. The cheese was first used by a pizzeria called Luigi's Restaurant in 1953, but it gained wider recognition when Ed Imo, the founder of Imo's Pizza, discovered it in the 1960s.

Ed Imo was so impressed by Provel cheese that he made it the signature ingredient of his pizzas when he and his wife, Margie, opened their first Imo's Pizza location in 1964. The combination of the thin, crispy St. Louis-style crust and the creamy, buttery Provel cheese created a pizza that quickly became a favorite among locals. The unique flavor and texture of Provel, along with its ability to melt evenly, made it the perfect topping for a pizza that brought friends and families together.

It's a pasteurized process cheese

Imo's Pizza uses Provel cheese, a pasteurized process cheese. Provel is a blend of three different cheeses: cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. It was invented in St. Louis in 1947 and is considered a regional delicacy. Its unique, polarizing flavour and gooey, creamy texture make it a popular choice for pizza, salads, burgers, and more.

Provel cheese is a staple of St. Louis-style pizza, which is characterized by its thin, crispy crust and square slices. Imo's Pizza, a family-owned business with over 100 stores across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas, is known for its "Original St. Louis Style Pizza." The key to their pizza is the Provel cheese, which has a low melting point, creating a luscious coating across the top.

Provel cheese is produced by blending cheddar, Swiss, and provolone cheeses, resulting in a smoky, tangy, and subtly rich flavour. Its low melting point and gooey, buttery texture make it ideal for pizza, as it melts evenly without becoming stringy. The cheese is also versatile and can be used in various dishes, including salads, burgers, and macaroni and cheese.

The origins of Provel cheese are debated, but it is theorized that it was created through the convergence of Old World Italian traditions and New World technology. It is now deeply ingrained in St. Louis' culinary culture and is widely used in the region's restaurants. While it may be challenging to find Provel cheese outside of St. Louis, it has gained a loyal following, with millions of pounds consumed each year.

Provel cheese is more than just an ingredient; it's a part of St. Louis' cultural identity. Its unique flavour and texture have made it a beloved staple for locals and a sought-after delicacy for those outside the region. Whether enjoyed on a classic Imo's Pizza or in one of its many other culinary applications, Provel cheese has earned its place in the hearts and kitchens of St. Louis and beyond.

It's a regional delicacy with a love-it-or-hate-it flavour

Imo's Pizza is famous for its use of Provel cheese, a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. It was invented in St. Louis in 1947 and is considered a regional delicacy. Its flavour is often described as a love-it-or-hate-it, with a creamy, buttery, subtly rich, tangy, and smoky taste. The cheese has a low melting point, making it ideal for pizza as it melts without becoming stringy, leaving a luscious coating across the top.

Provel cheese is a key component of St. Louis-style pizza, which is characterised by its thin, crispy, and crunchy crust. The pizza is cut into squares, a tradition that originated in St. Louis and has become a signature of Imo's Pizza. The square slices offer something for everyone, from crispy triangle corners to the coveted center squares.

The origin of Provel cheese is debated, but it is theorized that it emerged from the convergence of Old World Italian traditions and New World technology. One of the strongest claims is by Hoffman Dairy in Wisconsin, which supposedly partnered with local St. Louis restaurateur Tony Costa to create the cheese specifically for pizza in the 1940s. Costa owned an Italian grocery store in the Hill neighbourhood of St. Louis, where fire hydrants are painted in the colours of the Italian flag.

Provel cheese was first used by a pizzeria called Luigi's Restaurant in 1953, but it gained popularity when Ed Imo, the founder of Imo's Pizza, discovered it in the 1960s. Impressed by its unique characteristics, Ed made Provel the signature cheese of Imo's Pizza when he and his wife, Margie, opened their first location in 1964. Today, Imo's Pizza has over 100 stores across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas, and they are the exclusive distributors of Provel cheese.

While Provel cheese may be divisive, it has become an iconic part of St. Louis cuisine. It is not just limited to pizza but can also be found in various dishes across the city, including sandwiches, poutine, avocado wraps, paninis, and garlic bread. Its creamy texture and smoky flavour make it a versatile ingredient that adds a unique twist to traditional dishes.

It's available in shredded and sliced forms

Imo's Pizza uses Provel cheese, a blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. Provel was invented in St. Louis in 1947 and has been a staple of the city's culinary scene ever since. It is available in shredded and sliced forms, making it convenient for a variety of applications.

The shredded Provel cheese from Imo's is perfect for sprinkling on pizzas, salads, and other dishes. It has a low melting point, which makes it ideal for creating a gooey, buttery texture. You can easily find it in stores in 8 oz. and 32 oz. packages.

On the other hand, sliced Provel cheese offers a different experience. When melted, it provides a creamy, buttery, and subtly rich flavour. It is a great choice for those who want to add a unique taste to their dishes.

Provel cheese is not just a staple for Imo's Pizza, but it has also become a beloved ingredient in the St. Louis region. It is used in a variety of dishes, including sandwiches, poutine, avocado wraps, paninis, and even grilled burgers. The versatility of Provel cheese makes it a popular choice for both chefs and home cooks.

Whether shredded or sliced, Provel cheese offers a distinct flavour and texture that has won the hearts of many. Its availability in different forms makes it convenient for culinary enthusiasts to experiment with and incorporate into their recipes.

Frequently asked questions