Cheese And Tacos: The Perfect Pairing

Tacos are a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients, including various types of cheese. While cheese may not be a typical ingredient in authentic Mexican tacos, it is a popular addition in many other parts of the world. The type of cheese used can significantly impact the taste and texture of the taco, ranging from melty cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack to crumbly varieties like cotija or queso blanco. With so many options available, the possibilities for creating unique and delicious taco combinations are endless.

Melty cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for tacos and can be paired with a range of fillings. For example, it can be combined with ground beef, spicy crema, fresh jalapenos, and pickled carrots to create a delicious and flavourful taco. The sharpness of the cheddar pairs well with the savouriness of the beef, while the creaminess of the cheese balances out the spiciness of the crema and jalapenos. The cheese also helps to bind the other ingredients together, creating a cohesive and tasty taco filling.

Monterey Jack, with its similar flavour and texture to mild, white cheddar, is another excellent choice for tacos. It has a light yellow colour and melts beautifully, making it a perfect addition to any taco recipe. Its mild flavour also makes it a great choice for those who prefer a less intense cheese taste. Like cheddar, Monterey Jack can be paired with a variety of fillings, such as chicken, avocado, salsa, or beans. Its creamy texture and subtle flavour will enhance the other ingredients in the taco without overwhelming them.

In addition to their taste and texture, both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses are widely available and relatively affordable, making them accessible options for creating delicious and cheesy tacos at home. Whether you choose to shred, grate, or slice the cheese, adding one of these melty varieties to your taco will surely take it to the next level.

Authentic Mexican cheeses like cotija or queso blanco

Authentic Mexican Cheeses: Cotija and Queso Blanco

While cheese isn't a typical ingredient in an authentic Mexican taco, there are a variety of fresh white cheeses that can be used to add a more authentic Mexican flavour to your tacos. Two of the most popular Mexican cheeses are cotija and queso blanco.

Cotija

Cotija is a hard, crumbly white cheese from the Parmesan family. It has a strong, salty flavour and doesn't melt, making it ideal for sprinkling on top of tacos, chilis, salads, and soups. It is also similar in appearance to feta cheese.

Queso Blanco

Queso blanco, or "white cheese" in Spanish, is a fresh, soft, and mild-flavoured cheese. It is often used as a topping or garnish for tacos, adding a creamy texture and a subtle salty taste. It can be crumbled or grated over tacos and other Mexican dishes.

Other Mexican Cheeses

There are dozens of varieties of Mexican cheeses, ranging from fresh to aged, smooth and creamy to dry and crumbly. Some other popular Mexican cheeses include Oaxaca, a semi-soft, stringy white cheese with a mild flavour; Anejo Enchilado, a semi-hard, spicy and salty cheese made from goat or cow milk; and Queso Fresco, a mild, fresh cheese that is often flavoured with pepper or adobo, giving it a slightly spicy kick.

When choosing a cheese for your tacos, consider the other ingredients and flavours you will be using. For a more authentic Mexican experience, opt for one of the traditional Mexican cheeses mentioned above, such as cotija or queso blanco.

Other authentic Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca or Chihuahua

While cheddar and Monterey Jack are great melty cheeses for tacos, for a more authentic Mexican garnish, try Chihuahua or Oaxaca cheese.

Chihuahua cheese is a popular choice for tacos, as seen in many recipes. It is a great melting cheese, perfect for quesadillas. It is a semi-hard cheese, similar to Monterey Jack, with a mild, savoury, and buttery flavour. It is made from cow's milk and is often used in authentic Mexican dishes.

Oaxaca cheese is also a semi-hard, white, stringy cheese made from cow's milk. It is similar to mozzarella and Monterey Jack in both texture and flavour. It is a stretched-curd cheese, kneaded and sold in long ropes gently wound in balls. It is a popular choice for quesadillas and chiles rellenos, and it is often shredded and used as a garnish or melted on tacos.

Both Chihuahua and Oaxaca cheeses can be easily substituted for mozzarella, making them a great choice for any taco recipe. They add a delicious, mild, and savoury flavour to tacos and other Mexican dishes.

Non-traditional cheeses like feta, fontina, or Swiss

While traditional taco cheeses include cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso, non-traditional cheeses like feta, fontina, or Swiss can also be used to add a unique twist to your taco.

Feta is a Greek cheese with a salty and tangy flavour. It has a crumbly texture and is often used as a topping or garnish. When used in tacos, it can add a creamy and salty element that pairs well with other ingredients. For example, a taco with feta cheese, pork belly, pineapple, and mint creates an intriguing combination of sweet and savoury flavours.

Fontina, on the other hand, is an Italian cheese with a creamy and nutty flavour. It melts extremely well, making it ideal for tacos where you want a gooey and indulgent texture. A recommended filling combination for fontina tacos includes roasted garlic, roasted mushrooms, and Mexican oregano. This creates an earthy and aromatic taco with a creamy cheese base.

Swiss cheese, also known as Emmentaler, has a mild and slightly nutty flavour. It melts well and has a creamy texture, making it a versatile option for tacos. A suggested filling for Swiss cheese tacos is pulled chicken, roasted tomatillos, and radishes. The cheese complements the savoury chicken and adds a subtle nutty flavour to the overall profile.

Using these non-traditional cheeses in your tacos can elevate your taco night and offer a unique and exciting dining experience. It's a great way to experiment with different flavours and textures, creating memorable and delicious tacos.

The history of cheese on tacos

The taco was first introduced to the United States in 1905 by Mexican migrants who were coming in to work on railroads and other jobs. They brought their food with them, and Americans were first exposed to tacos through Mexican food carts in Los Angeles run by women called "chili queens". The fillings were incredibly spicy and unfamiliar to the American palate.

By 1920, the food Mexican immigrants brought with them started to fuse with American ingredients. Organs were replaced with more palatable ground beef and chicken, and cheddar cheese, cool lettuce, and tomato became standard fillings. This became known as the ultimate taco to Americans, whose traditional cuisine favored more subtle flavors.

The taco was becoming something of a Mexican-American fusion. This fusion was furthered when Taco Bell became mainstream and created a breed of "Mexican" food that wasn’t authentically Mexican. The pre-fried U-shaped taco shell that we know today was first patented by Mexicans in the 1940s to expedite the taco-making process. Taco Bell took this idea 10 years later to streamline their operations.

Nowadays, the taco landscape is varied. While some restaurants serve tacos with cheese and lettuce, others serve more authentic Mexican tacos, which have soft corn tortillas filled with flavored meat, cilantro, radish slices, grilled onion, and an assortment of hot sauces.

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