Frederic Melton
Many pizza chains have been criticized for using imitation cheese or cheese products that are not 100% authentic. This is likely due to the high cost of cheese, which accounts for about 40% of the total cost of making a pizza. In the US, major chains have been found to use cheese with added preservatives, sprayed-on colors, and flavors. However, some pizza chains, such as Toppers Pizza, pride themselves on using 100% real mozzarella cheese, while others like Papa John's, Pizza Hut, and Domino's, have been accused of using cheese with various additives and not disclosing their full ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pizza chains that use 100% real mozzarella cheese | Toppers Pizza |
| Pizza chains that don't use 100% real mozzarella cheese | Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns |
| Common mozzarella brands used by pizzerias | Galbani, Grande |
| Factors considered when choosing pizza cheese | Salt content, fat content, melting quality, overall flavor |
| Examples of other cheeses used on pizza | Provolone, Asiago, Sargento Mozzarella |
| Reasons for not using 100% real mozzarella | Cost, convenience, longer shelf life |
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What You'll Learn
Papa John's uses a blend of real cheese and other ingredients
Papa Johns uses a blend of real cheese and other ingredients. While the company claims to use 100% real cheese, made from mozzarella, its cheese blend also includes modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, sodium citrate, and the preservative sodium propionate. These additional ingredients are not typically found in pure mozzarella cheese, and some have suggested that Papa Johns uses them to freeze their cheese or as fillers.
The company has faced some criticism for not fully disclosing the ingredients in their cheese blend and other menu items. While Papa Johns emphasizes the freshness and quality of their ingredients, they do not provide a comprehensive list of what goes into their food. This lack of transparency has led to accusations of misleading marketing, particularly regarding their use of the term "100% real cheese."
Despite this controversy, Papa Johns offers a range of cheese blends for their pizzas, including a three-cheese blend of Provolone, Fontina, and Asiago and a two-cheese blend of Parmesano and Romano. Customers can also opt for extra cheese on their pizzas, further emphasizing the prominence of cheese in Papa Johns' offerings.
In addition to their cheese blends, Papa Johns also uses other types of cheese in their recipes. For example, their Tuscan Six Cheese pizza features a blend of six different cheeses, though the specific varieties are not listed on their website. It is worth noting that Papa Johns emphasizes the absence of artificial preservatives, flavors, and bulking agents in their sausage toppings, suggesting a commitment to using more natural ingredients.
Overall, while Papa Johns may not use 100% pure mozzarella cheese, they do offer a variety of cheese blends and emphasize the quality and freshness of their ingredients. Their use of additional ingredients in their cheese blend remains a point of contention for some, highlighting the importance of transparency in food labeling and marketing.
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Pizza Hut uses frozen dough and pre-assembled pizzas
While Pizza Hut claims to use "100% real cheese made with whole milk mozzarella", it has been revealed that their cheese contains various additives, including modified food starch. This additive is often used to freeze cheese, indicating that Pizza Hut may be using frozen cheese on their pizzas.
In addition to the controversy surrounding their cheese, Pizza Hut has also been accused of using frozen dough. Multiple sources, including former employees, have claimed that Pizza Hut uses frozen, pre-shaped dough that is allowed to thaw and then proofed with a spray-on oil applied to the edges to create the crust. This practice has been observed in both the US and the UK, with some claiming that no Pizza Huts in America make their dough from scratch anymore.
However, there are conflicting reports, with some Pizza Hut employees stating that they make fresh batches of dough daily before the store opens. These batches include pan, thin, and stuffed dough varieties. It is worth noting that the use of frozen dough may be a more recent development, as some former employees recall making fresh dough earlier in their careers.
The shift to frozen dough may be attributed to consistency, ease of ordering, and preparation. Pizza Hut has yet to release an official statement regarding their dough preparation practices, leaving consumers with mixed information.
While the use of frozen dough and the true nature of their cheese remain unclear, it is evident that Pizza Hut's practices differ from those of Toppers Pizza, which proudly advertises the use of 100% real Wisconsin mozzarella cheese that is aged to perfection and never frozen.
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Dominos also uses frozen cheese
While Domino's advertises that they use 100% mozzarella cheese, this is not entirely accurate. In reality, the company uses a blend of cheeses, including mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar. This blend is designed to have a perfect melt and stretch for fast-food pizza and to keep costs low.
One reason that Domino's may choose to use a blend of cheeses is that pure mozzarella is expensive, especially at the volume that Domino's requires. By adding other cheeses, such as cheddar and provolone, Domino's can lower the overall cost while still maintaining a cheesy texture and flavour. Additionally, a blend of cheeses melts more evenly than pure mozzarella, which can be important for creating a consistent product.
Another factor to consider is that Domino's needs cheese that can be stored for long periods without clumping or spoiling. To achieve this, they use additives such as cellulose powder and natamycin, which help prevent mould and keep the cheese fresh. These additives are not typically found in pure mozzarella cheese, which is why Domino's cheese is considered highly processed.
It is worth noting that the specific blend of cheeses used by Domino's can vary depending on the region. For example, in the United States, Domino's uses a blend of mozzarella, provolone, and cheddar, while in the United Kingdom, they advertise using 100% mozzarella. European branches often source their cheese from local dairy farms, resulting in a product that is closer to traditional mozzarella. In Australia, Domino's uses mozzarella cheese from Australian dairy farms, while in India, the cheese often contains a higher proportion of vegetable oil to keep costs low.
While Domino's does use frozen cheese, it is important to note that this is a common practice among pizza chains. Frozen cheese can help extend the shelf life of the product and improve consistency. However, it is essential to properly thaw the cheese before use, as improperly thawed frozen cheese can negatively impact the taste and texture of the pizza.
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Toppers Pizza uses 100% real mozzarella
In contrast, other popular pizza chains like Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Papa Johns have been criticized for using cheese substitutes or blends that fall short of customers' expectations of 100% mozzarella. These chains have engaged in creative labelling, with Papa John's claiming to use "100% real cheese MADE FROM mozzarella" and Pizza Hut advertising "100% real cheese MADE WITH whole milk mozzarella".
The use of modified food starch and other additives in their cheese formulations has led to disappointment among those seeking authentic, high-quality mozzarella on their pizzas. Toppers Pizza, on the other hand, prides itself on using only genuine mozzarella, delivering on taste and texture without resorting to artificial enhancements.
The decision to use 100% real mozzarella sets Toppers Pizza apart from its competitors. By prioritizing the use of authentic, high-quality ingredients, Toppers Pizza ensures that customers can enjoy the classic taste and texture of traditional pizza. This commitment to quality is evident in the stretchy, gooey, and rich-tasting cheese that has customers raving about their pizzas.
While some may argue that the use of 100% real mozzarella is a minor detail, it showcases Toppers Pizza's dedication to customer satisfaction and the craft of pizza-making. This attention to detail elevates their pizzas above the competition, creating a loyal customer base that appreciates the difference that real mozzarella makes.
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Mozzarella is a neutral cheese with different brands offering slight taste variations
Mozzarella is a versatile and delicious Italian cheese with a gooey texture and a milky flavour. It is a stretched-curd cheese that can be made from either cow's milk or water buffalo milk. The latter, known as mozzarella di bufala, is the original mozzarella cheese. It is softer, creamier, richer, sweeter, and tangier than mozzarella made from cow's milk. It is also more expensive and slightly harder to find.
Mozzarella is commonly used on pizza due to its meltability. However, some popular pizza chains like Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Papa John's have been criticised for not using 100% mozzarella cheese in their pizzas. For instance, Papa John's "100 percent real cheese" contains modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, sodium citrate, and the preservative sodium propionate—ingredients that have no place in real cheese. On the other hand, Toppers Pizza uses 100% Real Wisconsin Mozzarella Cheese, aged to perfection and never frozen.
Fior di latte, or fresh mozzarella, is made in the same style and shape as mozzarella di bufala but with cow's milk instead of water buffalo milk. It has a milder, more neutral flavour and a somewhat more elastic texture. It is also usually packaged as balls in liquid for near-term consumption. Traditional mozzarella, on the other hand, is packaged dry in blocks, cubes, chunks, sticks, slices, or shreds cut from blocks. It has a firmer texture, a saltier flavour, and a lower moisture content, making it more meltable.
Other varieties of mozzarella include smoked mozzarella, which has a brown, edible rind and a smoky flavour that varies in intensity across brands; scamorza, which is drier, firmer, less watery, and more pungent than fresh mozzarella; stracciatella, which is made from fresh mozzarella curds that are stretched, shredded, and soaked in cream; and burrata, which is a ball of fresh mozzarella stuffed with creamy stracciatella.
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Frequently asked questions
Toppers Pizza uses 100% real mozzarella cheese. Other pizza chains such as Pizza Hut, Dominos, and Papa Johns use "cheese" with added ingredients.
Cheese is expensive and accounts for almost 40% of the total cost of making a pizza.
Many pizza chains use cheese with added preservatives, colors, and flavors. Some use "analogue cheese", an imitation cheese that's cheaper and easier to produce.
Popular brands of mozzarella cheese for pizza include Galbani, Grande, Sargento, and Saputo.
