It would be easier to buy bags of pre-shredded mozzarella. Here is why we never will.
The Anti-Caking Agent Problem
Pre-shredded cheese is coated in cellulose and potato starch to prevent clumping. These additives form a barrier on each shred that interferes with melting. The cheese still melts, but it does not flow into that smooth, cohesive layer you see on great pizza. Instead, it melts unevenly and can have a slightly gritty texture.
Melting Quality
Hand-shredded mozzarella from a whole block melts into a gorgeous, stretchy blanket with golden-brown spots. It flows around toppings and creates that perfect cheese pull when you lift a piece. On our Chicago thin-crust, this smooth melting creates an even layer that complements the crispy base.
Flavor Purity
Anti-caking agents do not just affect texture, they affect taste. Pre-shredded cheese can have a slightly starchy, muted flavor compared to the clean, creamy taste of freshly shredded mozzarella. When cheese is one of only three or four main components on a pizza, that difference matters.
Moisture Content
Pre-shredded cheese loses moisture to the anti-caking agents and through increased surface area exposure to air. Hand-shredded cheese retains more of its natural moisture, which contributes to better melting and a juicier, more flavorful result.
The Labor Investment
Yes, hand-shredding takes more time and effort. Our kitchen team spends a significant portion of daily prep shredding blocks of mozzarella. It is not glamorous work, but every person on our team understands why it matters. Quality has no shortcuts.
What You Taste
The difference shows up in every bite. Our cheese melts smoothly, stretches beautifully, and has a clean dairy flavor that lets our 4-generation sauce shine through. It is one of the details that makes Mad Pizza stand out.
Taste the difference at 211 N 21st Ave in Hollywood, FL. Call (754) 275-8466 and experience what real mozzarella on Chicago thin-crust pizza should taste like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Mad Pizza hand-shred their mozzarella?
We hand-shred our mozzarella because it melts better, tastes cleaner, and has better texture than pre-shredded cheese with anti-caking additives. The difference is noticeable in every bite.
What is wrong with pre-shredded cheese?
Pre-shredded cheese contains cellulose and starch that prevent clumping but also interfere with smooth melting. It can taste starchy and does not create the same stretchy, golden-brown cheese layer as freshly shredded mozzarella.
What kind of mozzarella does Mad Pizza use?
We use whole-milk mozzarella blocks that we shred by hand daily. No pre-shredded, low-moisture part-skim, or processed cheese is used in our kitchen.
Ready to Taste the Difference?
Order authentic Chicago thin-crust pizza from Mad Pizza. Every slice supports veterans through our LEGION partnership.