Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is a popular pizza chain with locations across the United States. Their mouth-watering, New York-style pizzas are made with high-quality ingredients – especially cheese. So what cheese does Grimaldi’s use on their tasty pies?
The Cheese Blend
Grimaldi’s uses a special proprietary blend of whole milk mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. This combination provides the ideal balance of flavors and textures. The mozzarella offers that classic, melty cheese pull that pizza lovers crave. The Parmesan adds nutty, salty notes and a slight granular texture.
According to Grimaldi’s head chef, the cheese blend is about 70% mozzarella and 30% Parmesan. However, each location has some flexibility to tweak the ratio to account for differences in ovens and local tastes. The key is striking the right chord between gooey and crispy.
Whole Milk Mozzarella
Mozzarella is by far the main cheese used at Grimaldi’s. But it’s not just any mozzarella – it’s whole milk mozzarella. This gives it a soft, creamy texture and rich, milky flavor. The whole milk variety has a higher fat content than part-skim or low moisture mozzarella. The extra fat results in better melting properties and browning.
Most pizza chains use lower grades of mozzarella to save on costs. But Grimaldi’s insists on splurging for the good stuff. They source their mozzarella from Wisconsin-based craft producers like Grande Cheese Company. This attention to quality makes a noticeable difference in the finished pizza.
Advantages of Whole Milk Mozzarella
- Creamy, velvety texture
- Superior meltability
- Milky, buttery flavor
- Browns nicely during baking
- Provides excellent stretch
Parmesan Cheese
While mozzarella may be the star, Parmesan plays an important supporting role at Grimaldi’s. They grate Parmesan generously over the pie before it goes into the blazing hot oven. As it bakes, the Parmesan bubbles and caramelizes to form delicious crunchy bits.
Parmesan contributes a subtle nuttiness and savory umami flavor. It also acts as a natural seasoning, enhancing the other flavors without overpowering them. The Parmesan works in harmony with the sweet tomato sauce and creamy mozzarella.
Benefits of Parmesan
- Savory, salty flavor
- Slightly gritty texture
- Adds nice crunch
- Packed with umami
- Melts and browns well
The Cheese Suppliers
Grimaldi’s sources their cheese blend from a few key suppliers:
- Grande Cheese Company – Provides the whole milk mozzarella from Wisconsin.
- Sartori – Another Wisconsin-based cheesemaker that supplies mozzarella.
- BelGioioso – Specializes in Italian cheeses like Parmesan.
- Henning’s Cheese – Family-owned company in Wisconsin for high-end Parmesan.
By partnering with these cheese experts, Grimaldi’s has access to top-notch ingredients. Grande and Sartori are renowned for their pliable mozzarella with excellent melting qualities. Meanwhile, BelGioioso and Henning’s offer ultra-flavorful Parmesan.
Ordering the Cheese Blend
Each Grimaldi’s location orders cheese from approved suppliers and receives frequent shipments. The supply chain is streamlined for consistency across the chain. Here is a look at how a typical location orders cheese:
| Cheese Type | Supplier | Amount Ordered | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Milk Mozzarella | Grande Cheese Co. | 25 lbs | 2x week |
| Whole Milk Mozzarella | Sartori | 25 lbs | 2x week |
| Parmesan | BelGioioso | 10 lbs | 1x week |
| Parmesan | Henning’s Cheese | 10 lbs | 1x week |
Shipments are carefully timed so that cheeses are used at their peak freshness. Any extra is stored properly until needed.
Preparing the Pizza
Making a perfect Grimaldi’s pizza requires carefully preparing and layering the ingredients. Here is an overview of how the chefs assemble each pie:
- Roll out the hand-tossed pizza dough to desired size
- Ladle on the sweet tomato pizza sauce
- Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the pie
- Grate fresh Parmesan on top
- Add any other toppings like pepperoni or mushrooms
- Bake in a blazing hot brick oven at 600-700°F
- Cut into slices and serve immediately
The fast cooking and hot oven are essential for melting the cheeses properly without over-baking the crust. The cheese blend liquefies into the iconic stretchy perfection that diners expect.
Cheese Consumption
To fuel the hungry hordes, Grimaldi’s goes through a staggering amount of cheese every year. Here’s an estimate of their annual cheese usage:
- Mozzarella: Over 1 million lbs
- Parmesan: Over 250,000 lbs
That’s well over a million pounds combined of their signature cheese blend. Their meticulous cheese sourcing and preparation is one reason Grimaldi’s pizzas consistently earn rave reviews.
Nutrition Information
While cheese adds plenty of flavor, it does come with a higher calorie and fat content. Here’s a look at the nutrition facts for Grimaldi’s cheese blend per slice of a large cheese pizza:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Carbs | 18g |
| Protein | 12g |
The high fat and calorie counts are due to the whole milk cheeses. However, the protein provides a filling factor to help avoid an energy crash later.
Environmental Impact
Some consumers have concerns about the environmental impact of dairy-based cheeses. Cheese production does generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. There are also resource inputs like water, feed, and land required for milk-producing cows.
However, Grimaldi’s attempts to source from responsible suppliers. Many use practices like methane capture and conversion to reduce emissions. The cheesemakers are also taking steps to improve waste and water management.
Overall, while not the most eco-friendly ingredient, cheese remains an integral part of Grimaldi’s identity and appeal. Moderation is advised for those concerned about sustainability.
Lactose Intolerance
Cheese does contain lactose, though aging tends to reduce the lactose content. Young cheeses like mozzarella have more lactose than aged cheeses like Parmesan. Those with lactose sensitivity may experience bloating, cramps or diarrhea after consuming pizza.
Requesting a pizza without cheese is an option for lactose intolerant diners. Grimaldi’s pizzas can also be made with soy cheese or dairy-free cheese alternatives. This allows those avoiding dairy to still enjoy a delicious pizza.
Conclusion
When it comes to pizza, the cheese matters. Grimaldi’s has perfected their blend of melty mozzarella and nutty Parmesan over the years. Their insistence on quality whole milk cheeses from Wisconsin-based producers gives their pies that signature taste and texture. Combined with great dough and sauce, it’s easy to see why Grimaldi’s pizzas satisfies so many cheese lovers.