When you think of a fast-casual restaurant specializing in Tex-Mex cuisine, probably the last thing that comes to mind is cheese. After all, what’s more Mexican than queso? But there is no cheddar at Chipotle — at least not in the traditional sense. In fact, the company uses just five different types of cheese across its entire menu. And if you are wondering which type of cheese Chipotle use, the answer is mostly Monterey Jack with a bit of cheddar mixed in for flavor. Additionally, all five kinds of cheese used at Chipotle are white cheeses and have little to no yellowish tint from added annatto dye. The obvious question here is why? What makes these different types of cheese perfect for using in burritos and tacos instead of something else? We’ll explore each one, as well as where they come from and how they’re used, further in this article. Let’s begin with an overview of what kinds of cheese Chipotle use.
What Types Of Cheese Does Chipotle Use?
Chipotle Cheese
The choice of cheese is perhaps the most important decision in the creation of your custom burrito bowl or burrito. It is the primary flavor, texture, and mouthfeel that your palate experiences when eating this Mexican staple. The best burritos are made with high-quality, fresh, flavorful, and creamy Chipotle cheese. But what is this Chipotle cheese anyway? Well, as we’ve established, it is a type of Monterey Jack cheese. However, it is a specific type of Monterey Jack created especially for Chipotle. It’s called Chipotle Monterey Jack and it is a co-product of the cheddaring process. It is created by mixing processed cheddar cheese with Monterey Jack. The mixture of these two kinds of cheese gives Chipotle its signature flavor. Additionally, Chipotle cheese has been aged for at least nine months. By comparison, most cheddar cheeses have been aged for no more than six months. This extended aging time results in a more robust flavor with a higher level of acidity.
Monterey Jack Cheese
This classic American cheese has been around for more than 100 years and has been an ingredient in countless recipes since it was first introduced. It is a semi-firm and mild cheese that comes in a variety of textures. The best burritos are made with high-quality, fresh, flavorful, and creamy Chipotle cheese. So, why is Monterey Jack the primary cheese used at Chipotle? Well, it is a very versatile cheese that can be found in different textures ranging from very firm to very soft. This makes it easy to melt and creates a gooey and stringy texture when melted. The gooey, stringy texture is perfect for burritos and tacos because it holds together well and gives the burrito a very satisfying bite.
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is a natural blue cheese that has been around for hundreds of years. It is an all-American cheese that has no added colorants, preservatives, or any other artificial ingredients. It is a semi-soft to semi-hard cheese with a mild and slightly salty flavor. The best burritos are made with high-quality, fresh, flavorful, and creamy Chipotle cheese. So, what is the cheddar doing in the Chipotle cheese? The Chipotle recipe is actually a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. This addition of cheddar adds a bit of spice and extra flavor to the Chipotle cheese.
Queso Blanco Cheese
Queso Blanco is a very firm and crumbly white cheese that has been aged for about two months. It has a very mild and creamy taste that is not very salty. The best burritos are made with high-quality, fresh, flavorful, and creamy Chipotle cheese. This cheese is perfect for melting and it is a very neutral flavor that pairs well with other ingredients. It is used in a lot of cheese dips, like queso and nacho cheese. Queso Blanco is very similar to Monterey Jack, but it has been aged longer, which gives it a slightly different taste.
Queso Fresco Cheese
Queso fresco is a white cheese that has a crumbly texture and a very mild, salty flavor. It is made from milk that has been fermented with a starter culture and has a very short aging process. The best burritos are made with high-quality, fresh, flavorful, and creamy Chipotle cheese. This cheese is much like queso Blanco in that it has a very neutral flavor and is perfect for melting. It is often used as a topping for nachos as well as being a key ingredient in many cheese dips. It is also very similar to Monterey Jack, but it has a shorter aging process and therefore a less creamy texture.
Feta Cheese
This crumbly and craggy white cheese is made from sheep’s milk and has a mildly salty and slightly sour flavor. The best burritos are made with high-quality, fresh, flavorful, and creamy Chipotle cheese. It is often served on salads or as a garnish for soups and other dishes. Unlike the other cheeses used at Chipotle, feta is actually made outside of the United States. It is a very traditional Greek cheese that is made from sheep’s milk. Feta is crumbly and craggy, like aged cheddar cheese. Feta actually gets its crumbly texture from being pressed into blocks and then wrapped in leaves. The leaves are then weighted with a heavy object to help the cheese form into a craggy texture.
Conclusion
So there you have it, an in-depth look at the types of cheese Chipotle use. But we’d be remiss not to mention that the company is working on a new cheese recipe that may alter the line-up. It’s called queso Blanco with Chipotle. It’s essentially the same cheese as the queso Blanco used in Chipotle burritos, but with added cilantro, garlic, and chipotle chili pepper. The new recipe comes in response to customer feedback requesting a spicier flavor and more bold taste. If it meets the company’s quality standards, it will likely be added to the menu. In the meantime, visitors can request a spicier cheese with their order.
FAQs:
Why did Chipotle change their cheese?
The company has been working to improve the quality of its ingredients in response to customer feedback. In 2011, it switched from using American cheese to using the higher-quality Monterey Jack. The company was also looking for a way to add more flavor and texture to its burritos without adding more cheese. It added a queso Blanco with Chipotle in March 2013 and will be adding a queso fresco with Chipotle later this year.
What is a queso fresco with Chipotle?
This is the same cheese as the queso Blanco used in Chipotle burritos, but with added cilantro, garlic, and chipotle chili pepper. The new recipe comes in response to customer feedback requesting a spicier flavor and more bold taste. If it meets the company’s quality standards, it will likely be added to the menu. In the meantime, visitors can request a spicier cheese with their order.
Why is Chipotle adding queso fresco with Chipotle?
The company has been working on a new cheese recipe that may alter the line-up. It’s called queso Blanco with Chipotle. It’s essentially the same cheese as the queso Blanco used in Chipotle burritos, but with added cilantro, garlic, and chipotle chili pepper. The new recipe comes in response to customer feedback requesting a spicier flavor and more bold taste. If it meets the company’s quality standards, it will likely be added to the menu. In the meantime, visitors can request a spicier cheese with their order.