For those of us that eat Mexican food frequently, it’s no secret that cheese is an ingredient that is used often. Just like any other cuisine, when you add cheese to any dish, it brings out delicious flavors that wouldn’t be there otherwise. In Mexican food, there are a couple of cheeses that are used that aren’t frequently used in other types of food. Both queso fresco and cotija cheese are frequently used in many Mexican dishes. It can leave people wondering what is the difference between the two? Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant is here to talk about queso fresco and cotija cheeses and what makes them different from one another.

Is Queso Fresco Similar to Cotija Cheese

If you walk up and down the cheeses in your local grocery store, you could look at queso fresco and cotija cheeses and think there is absolutely nothing different about the two. However, due to the aging process, and other variables, they are quite different. Following is a rundown of the two:
– Queso Fresco: If you translate the name of this cheese, it literally means “fresh cheese.” This cheese is made from both goat’s milk and cow’s milk. Like the name implies, it is extremely fresh. There is little to no aging process with this cheese. It sold merely days after it is produced. This cheese has a bolder, tangier taste than mozzarella cheese, which is the one that is tastes most like. It is used to flavor many different traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, salads and bean dishes. You should be able to find this cheese at your local international grocery store.
– Cotija Cheese: This cheese has a much longer aging process than queso fresco. The aging process can take up to 12 months to complete. It is a firm, white, crumbly cheese that is named after the town it was first made in. The longer this cheese ages, the saltier it will be. Some people only allow it to age for 3 months and others believe it needs the full 12 months to taste right. This cheese adds a full, bold flavor when it is added to any Mexican dish, unlike queso fresco and its mild flavor. Cotija cheese is also used to flavor many traditional Mexican dishes.

Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV, Paradise, Lone Mountain & Henderson, NV

It doesn’t matter what type of cheese you would like over the other, at Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant, we offer a little bit of everything from mild to bold cheeses. You can count on our large lunch and dinner menus to satisfy any craving you may have. We take pride in the traditional dishes that we offer our customers. You can expect nothing short of fresh, flavorful food that will leave you coming back for more. We use a variety of meats, cheeses, sauces, salsas and other delicious ingredients to create our masterpieces. Come dine in, take out or schedule delivery today!