Patrick Oconnell
Mexican cheese blends are a popular addition to Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. While Mexican cheese blends are widely used in the US, they are not necessarily authentic to Mexico. In fact, most traditional Mexican recipes did not originally include cheese, as cheese-bearing animals like goats and cows were not native to the area before the Europeans arrived. However, there are some Mexican cheeses that are commonly used in Mexico, such as Queso Asadero, Queso Cotija, Queso Oaxaca, Queso Fresco, and Queso Panela. These cheeses can be combined to create a Mexican cheese blend, but it is important to note that the blend may vary depending on personal preferences and the availability of ingredients.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese blends used in Mexico | Queso Asadero, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Queso Quesadilla, Cotija, Queso Oaxaca, Queso Fresco, Queso Panela, Chihuahua, Requesón, Manchego |
| Commercial Mexican cheese blends | Kraft Mexican Blend, Velveeta Shreds, Sargento's Mexican Blend, Tillamook, Trader Joe's, Chao plant-based shreds, Daiya's Mexican shreds |
| Common ingredients in commercial blends | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Asadero, Taco seasoning |
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What You'll Learn
- Mexican cheese blends typically include a mix of cheeses such as queso quesadilla, asadero, Monterey Jack, and cheddar
- Authentic Mexican cheese blends should not include Monterey Jack or cheddar, which are more common in Tex-Mex cuisine
- Queso asadero is the only authentically Mexican cheese in the blend
- Mexican cheese blends are designed to melt well and have a creamy texture to complement spicy, salty dishes
- Popular store-bought Mexican cheese blends include Kraft, Sargento, and Tillamook
Mexican cheese blends typically include a mix of cheeses such as queso quesadilla, asadero, Monterey Jack, and cheddar
Mexican cheese blends are a popular choice for those looking to add a creamy and tangy flavour to their dishes. While traditional Mexican recipes did not originally include cheese, as cheese-bearing animals like goats and cows were not native to the area before the Europeans arrived, Mexican cuisine has since embraced a variety of cheeses.
Queso quesadilla, also known as queso asadero, is a type of cheese that is characterised by its melting consistency when warmed. It is the only authentically Mexican cheese in the blend, and its ability to melt smoothly makes it a perfect addition to any Mexican cheese blend. Cheddar cheese, on the other hand, contributes a sharp and tangy flavour to the blend. While traditional recipes may not call for it, cheddar adds a distinct flavour that can enhance the overall taste of the blend.
Monterey Jack is another popular cheese in Mexican blends. It is often used in combination with cheddar in Tex-Mex recipes, but it is less commonly found in authentic Mexican cuisine. However, its melting properties and mild flavour make it a versatile choice for those looking to create a creamy and mild cheese blend. For a more authentic Mexican flavour, Chihuahua varieties of cheddar can be used in place of the standard variety.
In addition to these core cheeses, Mexican cheese blends can also include other varieties such as mozzarella, cotija, queso fresco, and queso panela. Mozzarella, with its stringy texture, can add a stretchy quality to the blend, while cotija contributes a salty and crumbly element. Queso fresco, a mild and fresh cheese, crumbles easily and provides a subtle flavour. Meanwhile, queso panela, a hard and salty cheese made with skim milk, offers a unique texture and flavour, as it does not melt and instead retains its shape when heated.
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Authentic Mexican cheese blends should not include Monterey Jack or cheddar, which are more common in Tex-Mex cuisine
While Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and dips are often associated with cheese, it's worth noting that most traditional recipes didn't originally include cheese. This is because before the Europeans arrived in Mexico, cheese-bearing animals like goats and cows were not native to the area.
Today, when people refer to "Mexican cheese," they are often referring to a blend of cheeses that is commonly used in Tex-Mex or Mexican-inspired dishes. These blends typically include a combination of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, queso quesadilla, and/or Asadero cheeses. Some popular blends include Kraft Signature Mexican Blend and shredded Mexican blends from brands like Tillamook, Sargento, and Trader Joe's.
However, it's important to distinguish between the cheeses used in Tex-Mex cuisine and those used in authentic Mexican cuisine. Authentic Mexican cheese blends should not include Monterey Jack or Cheddar, which are more common in Tex-Mex recipes. Instead, traditional Mexican cheeses include Queso Asadero, known for its melty consistency when warmed, making it perfect for cheese blends. Another option is Chihuahua cheese, which can be used as an alternative to Cheddar to make a more authentic blend.
Other authentic Mexican cheeses include Queso Cotija, a crumbly and salty cheese often used like Parmesan; Queso Oaxaca, a stringy, mozzarella-like cheese; Queso Fresco, a fresh and mild cheese that crumbles easily; and Queso Panela, a hard, smooth, and salty cheese made with skim milk. Requesón is another Mexican cheese similar to Italy's ricotta or cottage cheese, often used in enchilada fillings, empanadas, or corn cakes.
So, while Mexican-inspired dishes outside of Mexico may use blends that include Monterey Jack and Cheddar, these cheeses are not typically part of authentic Mexican cheese blends, which feature a variety of unique and flavorful local cheeses.
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Queso asadero is the only authentically Mexican cheese in the blend
Queso asadero, or simply asadero, is a semi-soft, creamy, and mild Mexican cheese. It is made from fresh cow's and/or goat's milk, mixed with another mixture of milk and rennet, and then boiled for 30 minutes. The mixture is then churned, cooked again, and flattened into flat, round shapes while still hot. Asadero is a versatile cheese, known for its meltability and can be used in a variety of dishes such as quesadillas, nachos, enchiladas, and sandwiches. It is also great for grilling or frying and can be crumbled over salads, tacos, and even desserts.
Asadero cheese originates from the state of Sinaloa in northwestern Mexico, as well as some areas of Texas. The traditional practices of making asadero cheese originated in the northern state of Chihuahua, Mexico, and it was also made in Durango. The cheese began to be made during the Mexican Revolution in Chihuahua, and later, the recipe was brought to the Southwestern United States by immigrants.
In the past, some recipes for asadero cheese used poisonous silverleaf nightshade berries to curdle the milk instead of rennet. However, modern recipes, such as those followed by cheese manufacturers, use rennet to curdle the milk.
When it comes to creating a Mexican cheese blend, asadero is the only authentically Mexican cheese in the mix. It is often combined with Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, as well as whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella to create a rich and creamy blend. While Monterey Jack and Cheddar are not traditionally used in authentic Mexican cuisine, they are commonly found in Tex-Mex recipes.
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Mexican cheese blends are designed to melt well and have a creamy texture to complement spicy, salty dishes
Mexican cheese blends are designed to melt well and have a creamy texture that complements spicy, salty dishes. They are commonly used in dishes such as quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, and nachos. These blends typically include cheeses such as Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, Queso Quesadilla, and Mozzarella. The addition of taco seasoning is also popular, as it enhances the flavour of the blend.
While Mexican cheese blends are designed to melt well, some varieties, such as Panela cheese, do not melt at all. Panela is a hard, salty variety of Mexican cheese that is made with skim milk. It is often fried and has a unique squeaking texture when bitten into. Another variety of Mexican cheese that does not melt is Requesón, which is similar to Italian ricotta or cottage cheese. It is mild, spreadable, and commonly used in enchilada fillings, empanadas, or corn cakes.
The key to a good Mexican cheese blend is creaminess. While individual Mexican cheeses such as Cotija, Queso Fresco, and Queso Quesadilla have distinct flavours, a blend should complement rather than overpower the dish. The creaminess of the cheese blend balances the spicy, salty flavours of the dish. For example, a blend that is too sharp may not pair well with spicy, salty beef or beef substitutes.
Some popular Mexican cheese blends include the Kraft Signature Shreds Mexican Blend, which combines Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, and Mozzarella, and the Tillamook shredded Mexican blend, which includes Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero. These blends are praised for their melting ability and creamy texture, making them ideal for dishes like nachos and quesadillas.
In conclusion, Mexican cheese blends are designed with melting ability and creaminess in mind to complement the bold flavours of Mexican dishes. These blends vary in their specific cheeses and seasonings but ultimately serve to enhance the taste experience of the cuisine they accompany. Whether it's a blend of shredded cheeses or a unique variety of Mexican cheese, the melting and creamy qualities are essential to their appeal and functionality in cooking.
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Popular store-bought Mexican cheese blends include Kraft, Sargento, and Tillamook
While traditional Mexican recipes do not usually include cheese, as cheese-bearing animals like goats and cows were not native to the area before the Europeans arrived, cheese is now a common ingredient in many Mexican dishes. Popular store-bought Mexican cheese blends include Kraft, Sargento, and Tillamook.
Kraft offers a wide range of cheese products, including its Signature Mexican Blend, which combines Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Asadero, and whole milk low-moisture Mozzarella. The brand also sells other cheese varieties, such as cheddar, Colby Jack, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Kraft is one of the largest dairy companies in the world, known for its iconic products like Kraft Singles and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.
Sargento, a family-owned company since 1953, offers pre-packaged sliced and shredded cheeses. Their products are available in a variety of styles, including cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, parmesan, and international cheese blends. Sargento cheese is known for its convenient textures that are easy to eat, making it a popular choice for sandwiches, salads, and casseroles.
Tillamook, a company founded over 130 years ago, offers a wide range of cheese options, including blocks, baby loaves, shreds, slices, and snacks. Their farmers' collection features unique flavours such as smoked black pepper white cheddar, spicy habanero jack, and garlic chilli cheddar. Tillamook cheese is known for its excellent melting properties and flavour, making it a popular choice for recipes that require melted cheese, such as mac and cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Mexican cheese refers to a blend of cheeses commonly used in Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. Common types of Mexican cheese include Queso Cotija, Queso Oaxaca, Queso Fresco, Queso Panela, and Requesón.
A Mexican cheese blend typically includes a combination of queso quesadilla, asadero, Monterey Jack, and/or cheddar. Some blends may also include other cheeses such as mozzarella, Colby Jack, or pepper jack.
While cheese is commonly used in Mexican cuisine, the specific blends marketed as "Mexican blends" in other countries are not typically used in Mexico. Traditional Mexican recipes do not usually include cheese, as cheese-bearing animals like goats and cows were not native to the area before the Europeans arrived. However, certain types of cheese, such as Queso Asadero, are commonly used in Mexican dishes.
If you are looking for a substitute for a Mexican cheese blend, you can create your own blend by combining cheeses such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, mozzarella, and asadero. You can also include taco seasoning to add a touch of spice to your blend.
