Cotija cheese is a Mexican cheese widely used in our daily life, especially when we are making Mexican dishes. It is named after the town of Cotija, Michoacán.
If you want to learn more about this type of cheese, you come to the right place.
In this article I’ll introduce you the history and the taste of Cotija cheese, also I’ll give you some substitutes for it.
What is Cotija Cheese
A type of cheese called cotija is typically produced using cow’s milk.
It has Mexican roots and bears the name of the Michoacan town of Cotija, where the cheese was formerly produced by regional cheesemakers in the lofty mountains more than 400 years ago.
The ingredients for traditional cotija cheese are unpasteurized milk from pasture-raised cows, salt, and rennet. It then ages for at least 100 days.
Cotija, pronounced as ko-TEE-hah, isn’t consumed as a table cheese due to its saltiness.
It is clearly white in color, crumbly and dense in texture, and has a salty, robust flavor that is highly addictive.
Foods like crispy taquitos, corn on the cob (elote), tinga tacos, stuffed poblano peppers, nachos, and guacamole are enhanced in flavor by the addition of cheese.
Cotija is a cheese that can be grated across the country.
You can layer it on your preferred burger recipe, garnish it with chili, or sprinkle it over salad, soup, or pasta.
What Does Cotija Cheese Taste Like?
Cotija cheese has a flavor that is at once extremely salty and sharp.
It has a saltier flavor than most supermarket cheddar cheeses, which typically have a salt content of around 1 1/2 percent.
The taste of the cheese drastically alters with time and becomes more intense and sharp. Cotija that has aged does not melt.
If you’ve had parmigiano reggiano or ricotta salata, you may have noticed that these cheeses have a flavor and texture that are similar to cotija’s saltiness and dryness.
What is Cotija Cheese Used For?
You can add that cotija cheese flavor to your regular cooking in a number of different ways.
It goes well with savory dishes like taquitos, corn on the cob, tinga tacos, and stuffed poblano peppers because it is salty and sharp.
Cotija crumbles easily and brings out the flavors of acidic and sweet foods.
What is Cotija Cheese Similar To?
Similar to feta and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses is cotija cheese.
Similar to cotija cheese in flavor but less salty, Parmigiano Reggiano is also a harder cheese.
Cotija cheese is more comparable to feta cheese in terms of flavor and texture due to feta’s stronger flavor.
Is Feta Cheese and Cotija Cheese the Same Thing?
The cheeses feta and cotija are different, to be sure.
Despite being made from various types of milk, the two types of cheese do have a fairly similar flavor.
Cow’s milk has traditionally been used to make cotija cheese.
Two different processes are used to make feta cheese. Sheep’s milk is the first and most popular source of the method.
The second technique uses a mixture of goat milk and sheep milk.
Cotija Cheese Substitutes
Don’t be upset if you’re out of cotija cheese or are running low on it and are unable to go shopping.
Thankfully, there are a few quality cotija cheese alternatives; take a close look; you probably already have these items in your kitchen!
1. Feta Cheese
The flavor and aroma of feta cheese, which is made from sheep’s milk or a combination of goat and sheep’s milk, are similar to those of cotija cheese and are salty and tangy.
In addition, this variety has a crumbly and grainy texture that makes it ideal for sprinkling over salads, soups, roasted vegetables, and pasta.
2. Queso Fresco
Since queso fresco literally means “fresh cheese” in Spanish in origin with a milder flavor and a taste that is slightly saltier, cheese, especially fresh cotija cheese, would make a great replacement.
to use it in place of. You should taste your dish and add sea salt if necessary because it is slightly less salty than cotija.
3. Ricotta Salata
Be aware that ricotta salata and ricotta are two different types of cheese.
Ricotta salata is an aged variety of ricotta that has a salty flavor and a firm texture.
Ricotta salata is undoubtedly one of the respectable substitutes for aged cotija cheese because of its unique textural nuance and flavor.
4. Pecorino Romano Cheese
Pecorino Romano, one of the oldest varieties of cheese, is very crumbly and has a saltier and sharper flavor than parmesan cheese, making it a good substitute for cotija.
According to cheese.com, this variety was a staple of Roman soldiers’ diets during times of war.
Bread, sauces, risottos, pizzas, soups, and pasta dishes all contain it.
5. Parmigiano Reggiano
Parmigiano reggiano, also known as parmesan cheese, is an Italian hard cheese renowned for its savory and acrid aftertaste.
Parmesan reggiano, in contrast to cotija, can be melted and used as a table cheese.
When using parmesan in place of cotija cheese, it is best to use sea salt because it is less salty.
When replacing, start with a smaller amount and work your way up.
Ricotta Vs. Ricotta Salata
The process of pressing, salting, and drying ricotta, a fresh cheese, produces ricotta salata. With a similar saltiness, the texture becomes more crumbly, similar to feta or cotija cheese. There is a difference between ricotta and ricotta salata. While fresh ricotta can be incorporated into dishes in dollops or stuffed into pasta, ricotta salata is a good option for garnishing salads, soups, and other dishes as a finishing touch.
Final Thoughts
Cotija is named after the town it was made. Cotija cheese has a salty flavor, and it will become sharper and sharper as it ages. There are also many substitutes for Cotija cheese.
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FAQs
How Long Does Cotija Cheese Last?
It depends on the type of cotija. Aged cotija can keep as long as 3 months in the fridge, while fresh cotija has a much shorter shelf life.
Is Cotija Cheese Pasteurized?
Cotija is made with raw milk, and is therefore, unpasteurized. But in the US, all cheese that is regulated by the FDA must be pasteurized, so you’ll find pasteurized cotija in all major grocers.
Can You Freeze Cotija Cheese?
Yes! Cotija is a great cheese to freeze as long as its tightly wrapped.
