We may face the situation that we’ve run out of mozzarella but we can’t find mozzarella in cheese shops around us. The good news is you can use Oaxaca cheese to substitute it.
Oaxaca cheese is a white stringy cheese from Mexico, it is made from cow’s milk and is similar to mozzarella.
Get to know Oaxaca cheese now, it is one of the most popular cheeses in Mexico.
What is Oaxaca Cheese?
Oaxaca cheese (also known as queso Oaxaca) hails from its namesake city of Today, the most popular place for production is Oaxaca, Mexico. It is a stretchy, stringy, creamy cheese with a yellowish-white color and a mild, buttery, slightly salty flavor. Due to the fact that it has no rind, this cheese is frequently rolled into a ball that resembles yarn and sold in rope form. By doing this, the flavor and elasticity of the semi-soft cheese are preserved.
Oaxaca is a member of the pasta filata cheese family. Although the pasta filata method has its origins in Italy, Dominican monks who settled in Oaxaca are thought to have brought the tradition to Mexico. They substituted more readily available cow’s milk for the normally required water buffalo milk, which is used to make mozzarella.
Where is It From?
It originated in southern Mexico’s Oaxaca state, which bears the same name. Sometimes it’s referred to as Mexican mozzarella, quesillo (“rope cheese”), Or Oaxacan-Style String Cheese, queso oaxaca.
The pasta filata or string cheese making process, originally from Dominican friars who settled in Oaxaca, Mexico, brought Italy with them.
How is Oaxaca Cheese Made?
One of the many reasons this cheese is so sought-after is the distinctive process used to make Oaxaca, which calls for both patience and skill. Rennet is used to separate the curds and whey during the cheese-making process by mixing whole milk with it. The curds are then placed in hot water to soften and pliableize them. To achieve the desired stringy texture of Oaxaca, the curds are stretched long and thin and vigorously kneaded in the final step.
The majority of Oaxaca cheese is still made in Mexico, but there are a number of dairy farmers and cheesemakers in the United States. have mastered the process to create this cheese. Waterloo, Wisconsin-based Crave Brothers Farmstead is a family-run dairy farm that produces and markets a variety of delectable cheeses, including mozzarella and Oaxaca.
George Crave, the company’s head cheesemaker, says, “Oaxaca cheese is excellent as a snack and goes well with many different dishes. It’s quite universal.”
Where to Buy Oaxaca Cheese
In Latin American or Mexican grocery stores, look for Oaxaca cheese. Oaxaca is typically sold by weight, but some brands offer it in resealable bags that have already been shred. Additionally, you can find cheese made in the style of Oaxaca in the specialty cheese section of your local supermarket or at the majority of Whole Foods, HEB, and Publix locations.
Oaxaca Cheese Substitutes
There are a few Oaxaca substitutes you can use if you don’t have any on hand or can’t find it in a store nearby. They all have a similar creamy texture and mouthwatering, buttery flavor. The best alternatives to Oaxaca cheese are typically other stretched-curd or semi-soft cheeses.
- Mozzarella: Due to its similar consistency and flavor, mozzarella is one of the most preferred alternatives to Oaxaca. Although mozzarella is a little more spongy than Oaxaca, the rich, milky flavors are similar. If possible, use a variety of mozzarella that’s labeled as “low moisture.”
- String cheese: Another excellent option is Armenian-style string cheese, also referred to as braided cheese. As the name suggests, braided cheese is made up of twisted cheese slices that are woven together to form a thick, rounded braid that looks like a rope.
- Queso asadero: Queso asadero is a stringy cheese that comes from the State of Chihuahua in Mexico. Oaxaca is slightly drier than Asadero, but both are equally delicious. Making zingy spreads and dips like chile con queso frequently uses it.
- Monterey Jack: This American semi-hard cheese is popular for its velvety mouthfeel, mild, nutty, slightly sweet flavor, and good melting qualities. It is made from cow’s milk. It’s a typical cheese that’s available in most supermarkets.
Conclusion
Oaxaca cheese (also known as queso Oaxaca) hails from its namesake city of Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s a stretchy, creamy cheese with a mild, slightly salty flavor. It is great in chile rellenos, nachos, and quesadillas!
Related Reading
A Quick Guide to Mexican Queso Blanco Cheese
FAQs
Is Oaxaca Cheese Just Mozzarella?
Oaxaca cheese (pronounced “wah-ha-kah”) is a creamy, stringy cheese that’s similar to mozzarella, but it’s made with cow’s milk and hails from Mexico. There are few things in life better than sinking your teeth into a piece of cheese, whether it’s something creamy, like Brie, or sharp, like an aged cheddar.
What Makes Oaxaca Cheese Different?
Mozzarella can be made with cow milk or buffalo milk, while Oaxaca cheese is made from cow’s milk. Both of them are white, although mozzarella is spongy and Oaxaca cheese is stringy and soft. Mozzarella is a cured cheese, while Oaxaca cheese is not.
What Cheese Is Similar to Oaxaca Cheese?
A common substitute is asadero cheese which is from the northern part of Mexico in the state of Chihuahua. If you can’t find asadero, other good substitutes are mozzarella, Monterey jack, or Muenster which are all widely available in the U.S.
