By introducing the concept of \emph{Kato control pairs} for a given Riemannian minimal heat kernel, we prove that on every Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$ the Kato class $\mathcal{K}(M,g)$ has a subspace of the form $\mathsf{L}^q(M,d\varrho)$, where $\varrho$ has a continuous density with respect to the volume measure $μ_g$ (where $q$ depends on $\dim(M)$). Using a local parabolic $\mathsf{L}^1$-mean value inequality, we prove the existence of such densities for every Riemannian manifold, which in particular implies $\mathsf{L}^q_{loc}(M)\subset\mathcal{K}_{loc}(M,g)$. Based on previously established results, the latter local fact can be applied to the question of essential self-adjointness of Schrödinger operators with singular magnetic and electric potentials. Finally, we also provide a Kato criterion in terms of minimal Riemannian submersions.