10 Best Cheeses for Pizza in the Philippines 2024 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
When it comes to pizza, it's hard not to imagine using anything other than mozzarella. But what if we told you there are a plethora of cheese options to choose from? That's right! You can use a variety of cheeses for pizza, from the ever-reliable cheddar even to parmesan!
Knowing the different types of cheese can expand your options and upgrade this delicious dish! In this article, we will go over the classifications of cheese and what they're best used for—you might even be surprised by some of them! Don't miss our recommendations and our buying guide fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales!
Quick List - Top Cheeses for Pizza
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
How to Choose a Cheese for Pizza - Buying Guide
Here are some key points to consider:
- Crowdsource for your cheese selection.
- Identify the source of milk.
- Consider the type of cheese.
- Check the classification of cheese.
- Think about the types of packaging.
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Crowdsource for Your Cheese Selection
We usually flock to groceries to stock up on cheese; however, some types of cheese may not be available there, as some are considered specialty or imported cheeses, so it is important to take note of the type of stores that can carry them.
It pays to check whether a certain brand is available in the country and see if it is carried by official retailers. You could also see similar brands that might be available in the country, so a bit of searching never hurts, especially now that everything can be accessed with the click of a button!
You could also check local deli shops and similar specialty stores to get your cheese supply! When in doubt, you can always message them for any other leads or affiliated suppliers!
Identify the Source of Milk
Most cheeses in the market come from animal sources such as cows, buffaloes, and even goats. However, if you can't consume dairy products there are also plant-based cheeses you can try!
Dairy Cheese Provides Both Flavor and Texture
Dairy milk is the primary choice for making cheese. It can be sourced from different animals such as cows, buffaloes, and goats.
Cow's milk has a rather mild and sweet taste, making it agreeable for a lot of people. It is also the easiest to source and most affordable. Buffalo is creamier but more robust, so it can be an acquired taste for some. However, its linamnam is unparalleled given its higher fat content.
Goat cheese, on the other hand, is creamy, but it is also tangy and earthy. Its gaminess is the most pronounced among the animals mentioned, so keep in mind that a little goes a long way.
Try Non-Dairy Cheese to Suit Dietary Needs
If you are lactose intolerant or have different dietary requirements, never fear! There are vegan cheese options for you to choose from!
Vegan cheese makes use of plants and nuts such as cashews, soy, and even root crops. They are not limited to just one type either! You could find different types of cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, depending on your preference! They don’t melt as well as dairy cheese does, but it is a solid option if you can’t eat dairy.
Consider the Type of Cheese
It’s not just black and white where natural automatically means superior and processed means inferior. The type of cheese also depends on how you’re going to be using it for your pizza as well as their moisture levels.
Natural Cheese Imparts Creaminess and Flavor
Natural cheese often has high moisture and fat content, which makes them rather tricky to work with. You have to be able to cook the pizza without it turning soggy. Plus, they don’t really melt the way processed cheese does.
Think of it this wayー natural cheese is more for flavor than texture as it provides a burst of creaminess onto pizzas. Depending on the type of cheese, they are often dolloped onto blobs across your pizza and not scattered all across the surface. They also go best with simpler recipes to bring out their taste.
Processed Cheese Melts Better
The main difference between natural and processed cheese is their moisture content, which impacts their browning ability. This is why they are also known as low-moisture cheeses. They are drier and can sometimes include additional ingredients to achieve better texture.
Processed cheese is produced to bring out the best qualities desirable in pizzas. They can turn into a golden brown and stretch when pulled apart, thanks to their lack of water.
Check the Classification of Cheese
Cheeses can be classified according to their firmness as well as their aging. You'll find that you can use practically any cheese on pizzas - the trick is knowing what to pair it with and how to cook them.
Velvety and Mild Fresh Cheese
Fresh cheeses can be characterized by their rather ‘wet’ appearance. This is because they are immediately drained after curdling, skipping the aging or ripening process. Essentially they are curdled milk, so the creaminess really comes through.
They don’t have any rinds, so they resemble blobs or pastes. Taste-wise they are mild and velvety and can be eaten on their own or as desserts.
On pizzas, they are best paired with fairly simple ingredients to highlight their flavors, such as a Margherita or Neapolitan-style pizzas as well as flatbreads. Examples of these are fresh Mozzarella, Ricotta, and Goat Cheese.
Soft Cheeses Are Buttery in Taste
Soft cheeses can be further categorized into soft-ripened ones and washed rinds. Of the two, soft-ripened cheeses are more compatible with pizza, as washed rinds tend to be more pungent.
Soft-ripened cheeses' exterior is coated in edible molds to protect its interior, which is incredibly soft. They have a rather rich texture and buttery flavor, which can be described as melt in your mouth!
Camembert and brie are the most common types; they melt easily, and like fresh cheese, are best placed atop pizzas in small handfuls instead of coating the entire dough.
Semi-Hard Cheeses Are Flexible
Semi-hard or semi-firm cheeses probably have the widest selection among the classes of cheese. They are lightly pressed, which makes them more compact and an elastic texture.
Pale yellow in color, these often have an edible rind from white, gray, or brown molds due to their slight aging process. They are quite versatile too, as they can be used as palaman for sandwiches, snacks, and in combination with other cheeses.
These types melt wonderfully and possess a stronger flavor making them an excellent component in pizzas. Notable semi-hard cheeses include Cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Fontina, and Provolone.
Hard Cheeses Make Great Toppings
Hard cheeses are the ones that have been aged for a longer period of time than the other categories of cheese. They have a drier and crumblier texture, so they aren't great at melting. Remember, the harder and older the cheese, the less likely they are to melt.
This doesn’t mean they aren’t suitable for pizzas; they are best, however, freshly shaved on top of pizzas. These provide a saltier kick and grittier texture you can savor. Some hard cheeses include Parmiggiano – not the grated kind sold in most groceries, Pecorino Romano, and Comte.
Think About the Types of Packaging
Cheeses can come in all sorts of packaging and is usually indicative of the type of cheese. For example, fresh cheeses come in plastic tubs or soaked in brine to preserve their freshness. This is because they have no rind to protect them from exposure, so they spoil easily.
Processed cheeses often come in big blocks, as they have an extended shelf life in contrast to fresh cheeses. You could also find shredded ones that have been modified to melt quickly, which makes them more convenient to use in cooking or baking.
Soft cheeses consist of one whole wheel of cheese, but it is rather small in size. There are whole wheels of cheese sold in kilos, but you could also find them sliced into wedges, which are much more affordable.
10 Best Cheeses for Pizza to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Beemster Gouda Beemster Mild | | A Versatile Choice That Goes Great with Anything | |
2 | Gruyère d’Alpage AOP 16 Months | | Rich and Complex Flavor to Give More Body to Pizzas | |
3 | Real Formaggi Parmigiano Reggiano | | A Cheese That Highlights the Taste of Other Ingredients | |
4 | Provolone Cheese | | Mild Taste That Makes a Great Base for Pizza | |
5 | Emborg Mozzarella Cheese | | Classic Mozzarella Cheese for Gooey Pizza Goodness | |
6 | In A Nutshell Fast Melt Cheddar | | Vegan Cheese That Tastes Just Like the Real Thing | |
7 | DVF Dairy Farm Buffala Mozzarella | | Light and Fresh Mozzarella That's Locally Made | |
8 | Ile de France Petit Brie | | Indulgent Velvety and Buttery Flavor | |
9 | Malagos Farmhouse Fresh Chevre | | Make the Classic 4-Cheese Pizza With Goat Cheese | |
10 | Arla Shredded Cheese | | For a Foolproof Tasty Cheesy Pizza |
A Versatile Choice That Goes Great with Anything
Beemster’s Gouda is of a mild variety, which means it possesses a rich and creamy texture with a savory and slightly sweet taste. If you like meaty or barbecue-flavored pizzas, then this type of cheese is your guy. Its natural smokiness pairs well with the meat as well as for thin-crust pizzas!
Its mild yet velvety flavor makes it one of the go-to cheeses for pizza, burgers, and even mac and cheese! It also has excellent melting capabilities, so you can liberally sprinkle it on pizzas. Plus, given its affordable price, what’s not to love?
This is a versatile choice as it can pack a meatier punch to pizzas without sacrificing the gooey quality we have come to associate with when eating it. And its taste isn't too fancy either, so you can easily elevate your pizza game while still getting that familiar comfort!
Rich and Complex Flavor to Give More Body to Pizzas
If you’ve grown tired of the same old toppings in pizzas, then give Gruyere cheese a try. Hailing from the Swiss Alps, this particular variety is only made once a year at a time when cows can eat the grass is at its best. This produces a rich flavor present in the cheese when eaten.
It offers a range of flavors as it starts out sweet but ends in a nutty and earthy tone. As it ages, its earthiness becomes more pronounced. It also melts wonderfully, so you can blend it with other cheeses to give more dimensions to your pizza toppings!
A Cheese That Highlights the Taste of Other Ingredients
Also known as Parmesan in English, Parmigiano has a hard and crumbly texture with an umami taste. It is another of our go-to cheeses. Dubbed as the King of Cheese, it is great for increasing the linamnam of your dishesー no wonder it is often imitated!
It is often sprinkled onto salads and pasta for that added kick, and when grated on pizza, it emphasizes the flavor of its other toppings! It also pairs well with wine and makes an excellent component in charcuterie boards!
Do keep in mind that Parmesan is not meant to be baked along with the pizza but as a finishing touch. So, keep it away from your cheese blend just in case! This is because the heat can ruin its taste. Being an aged cheese, it is also not likely to melt. That being said, it is great if you find other dishes matabang.
Mild Taste That Makes a Great Base for Pizza
If you’re not quite ready to experiment with bold cheeses, then you can’t go wrong with provolone. Similar to mozzarella in taste, it is one of the most popular options that you can blend with other cheese. This makes it an all-around staple as you can also use it for sandwiches and snacks, among other things.
Provolone’s flavor depends on how long it was aged. If you want a sweeter and creamier flavor, then select one that has been aged for a short period of time, like this one. It also melts wonderfully, so it makes for a great base in pizza. Make chicken and pesto pizzas or tomatoes and basil!
Classic Mozzarella Cheese for Gooey Pizza Goodness
Emborg offers an extensive range of dairy products from fresh milk to butter and cheese, just like this one! This block is perfect if you own a food business or just consume lots of cheese on a daily basis. Mozzarella is a classic choice for pizza, given its stretchiness and mild flavor, so it is easy to pair with toppings.
Because of its low moisture content, it can easily melt into a golden brown, gooey goodness. It has a slightly salty taste, but one that is still suitable for papak. It is also easy to slice or shred as it won’t crumble between your fingers, but it is not too hard where you would need to hack into it.
Vegan Cheese That Tastes Just Like the Real Thing
Cheddar cheese is one of the most popular types of cheese around the world. And if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you don’t have to worry about missing out! In A Nutshell, has its Fast Melt variety that tastes just like the real thing! It has been described as similar to the cheese we all know and love.
It contains miso, which gives it a salty and tangy kick similar to that of dairy cheddar. This version melts like one, too, making it ideal for using for pizzas, so you can still achieve that gooey consistency! If there’s any left, you can use it for grilled cheese sandwiches and mac and cheese too!
Light and Fresh Mozzarella That's Locally Made
Making your own pizza at home doesn’t have to be too difficult; you only need a few ingredients, such as this mozzarella from DVF Dairy Farm. It is made from carabao’s milk, giving it a rather velvety taste. This would go well with crushed tomatoes, a few sprigs of basil, and you’re all set!
This proves that you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make good pizza. The great thing about fresh mozzarella is its simplicity. It also doesn’t feel too heavy, so you are not as umay. You can also use it for salads if you want a lighter fare.
Indulgent Velvety and Buttery Flavor
Add a decadent touch to your pizzas with Ile de France’s Brie cheese. It is one of the creamiest cheeses with its buttery flavor along with subtle hints of hazelnut. It is complemented by the rather earthy taste of the edible rind, almost akin to mushrooms, so you’re not as umay.
It goes well with tart or acidic food to balance out its taste. Try making pizzas with pears, or onions, and even tomatoes. Brie is also a great appetizer as you can bake the entire cheese, cut it open, and you’d get a fondue-like consistency. It is perfect for dipping crackers or even with fruit like grapes and cranberries!
Make the Classic 4-Cheese Pizza With Goat Cheese
If you’re looking for something different to jazz up pizzas, try goat cheese. It is one of the classic toppings for 4-cheese pizza. It has a rather tangy and earthy flavor that can add a flavorful kick to your pizzas! Not sure where to start? Look no further than Malagos Farmhouse for your cheese fix!
They have established themselves by making cheese Filipino-style with their line of artisan cheeses. Their take on the French Chevre or goat cheese is smooth and creamy with a bit of tanginess. It is perfect to pair with caramelized onions on pizza as well as one with a simple mozzarella and tomato!
For a Foolproof Tasty Cheesy Pizza
If you are unsure about what combination of cheese to try, Mozzarella is always a solid option. Arla's shredded cheese makes it convenient for at-home cooking because it removes the hassle of chopping or shredding your own cheese. And when heated, it turns into a lovely golden brown color!
This has a mild taste that makes for a great base for pizza upon which you could customize according to your tastes. It is neutral enough not to overpower other toppings but creamy enough to provide flavor and a bit of a tangy kick!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Which Cheese to Use for Pizza?
The most commonly used cheese for pizza is mozzarella cheese. It has an ideal balance of moisture, elasticity, and fat content for a perfect meltiness on top.
How Much Cheese to Put on Pizza?
The amount of cheese to put on pizza highly depends on your preference! However, you may try putting around 8oz of cheese on a 12-inch pizza first if you want a more balanced taste.
Does Cheese for Pizza Have Protein?
Yes! Cheese for pizza does have protein, but the amount of protein will depend on the type of cheese you put. If you want a protein-rich pizza, try including other toppings like ham.
Score These Items To Make Your Own Pizza Dough
Now that you know the possible options of cheese for pizza, it's time to make the dough! Pizza dough is only made of a few ingredients; flour, yeast, salt, and oil! Practice perfecting your pizza dough and hop for these ingredients below!
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Author: J. Cuizon
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Cheeses for Pizza
No. 1: Beemster｜Gouda Beemster Mild
No. 2: ｜Gruyère d’Alpage AOP 16 Months
No. 3: Real Formaggi｜Parmigiano Reggiano
No. 4: ｜Provolone Cheese
No. 5: Emborg｜Mozzarella Cheese
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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