Someone once said “A burger without cheese is like a hug without a squeeze”. We couldn’t agree more. The right cheese will help you differentiate your burger from your competitors. It’s key element in the overall architechture of a burger, adding flavour, texture and visual appeal to your offering. Here’s few tips on how to make your burger cheese work for you.
Use cheese to enhance taste
Cheese works as an essential taste enhancer. It adds umami flavour with a touch of salt to your burgers, amplifying all tastes – especially of protein-rich ingredients. Some cheeses even combine nicely with each other, for instance blue cheese and cheddar (bitter + creamy + salty) or cheddar and Havarti (salty + creamy). Processed cheese, however, does not have these taste enhancing properties.
Create balance with cheese
With its creamy melty texture, cheese brings together the different textures in the burger – the softness of the bread, the crunch of the pickles and meaty sensation of the patty – to create a balanced experience and a delicious mouthfeel. Not all cheeses, however, are created equal, so always choose a cheese with good meltability (e.g. melts fast, does not ‘sweat’, does not burn easily).
Boost profits with storytelling
Our research shows that by communicating the origin of cheeses and other ingredients, your customers will accept a higher price. All our cheeses come with a backstory that will help you claim a premium position, for instance the Esrom, which was first made in the 16th century in Esrom Abbey, Denmark.
Speed up the process with a cloche
Using a cloche to melt cheese offers a range of benefits. It reduces melting time by more than 50% and improves the end results. The melted cheese wraps perfectly around the patty, without air bubbles or translucency to ruin the visual appeal. If you have a steam oven instead, this will also do the trick.
To-go burgers need to-go cheese
Take-out is on the rise in Western Europe, but many cheeses, such as regular processed cheese, do not perform well in a hotbox. Our range of burger cheeses are tested for their ability to maintain their creaminess, without splitting or turning chewy, even after 20+ minutes in a hotbox.
Cheese types to elevate any burger
Sometimes you need the right kind of inspiration to make the best choice. That’s why we have listed some of our favourite cheeses here below, so you can pick the right cheese for your burger.
Arla Pro; made specifically for professional chefs & operators in mind. Made from 100% British milk, Arla Pro Mild Cheddar Cheese Slices have a smooth creamy texture with a mild and delicate cheddar taste - perfect for burgers and sandwiches. Enjoy t...
Key benefits:
- A firm texture, with the balance of sweet & savoury
- Pre-sliced for consistent portion control
- A natural upgrade for classic burgers
Arla Pro; made specifically for professional chefs & operators in mind. Made from 100% British milk, full flavoured, these rich, Arla Pro Mature Cheddar Cheese Slices bring out the best in any dish – hot or cold. With a rich and satisfying flavour - ...
Key benefits:
- Strong and sweet complimenting flavour
- Pre-sliced for consistent portion control
- A natural upgrade for classic burgers
Arla Pro; made specifically for professional chefs & operators in mind. Made from 100% British milk, Arla Pro Mild Coloured Cheddar Cheese Slices have a smooth and creamy texture with a mild cheddar taste and a vibrant colour that adds visual appeal ...
Key benefits:
- Visually appealing
- Pre-sliced for consistent portion control
- A natural upgrade for classic burgers
Smooth and creamy yet sharp with an onion tang. That’s Castello Blue Cheese Slices. As you bite into this made-for-melting cheese you will find your senses expanding. It’s perfect on top of a burger fresh from the grill, oozing over the meat, seeping...
Key benefits:
- Great visual appeal
- Pre-sliced for consistent portion control
- Holds texture once heated
Looking for more burger inspiration?
If you’re into more burger inspiration and curious about the latest trends, tips and insights, you can download our Burger Insights guide here!
