Imagine a cheese, produced from unpasteurized milk that comes from pasture-fed cows in Mexico, and aged organically for more than 100 days. Can you imagine the texture and deliciousness of this cheese? It is none other than the cotija cheese, a classic Mexican delicacy.
Authentic cotija cheese is produced organically in the mountains of Mexico, in the hills of Michoacán. An industrial version is also made, which is aged faster through an inorganic process.
No one can resist buying a block of this cheese. However, what happens after you buy it? You can’t eat an entire block of cheese at once, so you have to store it for later.
Can You Freeze Cotija Cheese?
Cotija cheese freezes better than other cheeses due to being low in moisture and high in salt. You can easily freeze cotija without risking any major quality loss. Some texture loss may occur but it will be hardly noticeable due to the crumbly nature of the cheese.
How to freeze cotija cheese
Freezing cotija is an easy task. All you require is some wax paper, airtight freezer bag, a freezer and an optional vacuum sealer. Follow these steps to freeze your delicious cotija.
Step 1
Cut, slice or shred your cotija into your desired portions.
Step 2
Wrap your block of cheese with a double layer of wax paper. If the cheese is in slices, separate each slice with a layer of wax paper. If you have shredded your cheese, then put it in an airtight freezer bag with cornstarch added inside it.
Step 3
Place your package inside the refrigerator. Rest the cheese at a temperature between 35°F to 45°F.
How to thaw cotija cheese
Thawing is to undo the freezing process. Ensuring proper thawing can help the cheese maintain its original flavor and texture. Learn how to thaw cotija cheese effectively by reading further.
Step 1
Transfer the cotija from the freezer to the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, while ensuring the packaging remains tight and snug. The packaging ensures that no moisture is lost in the thawing process.
Step 2
Leave the cotija in the refrigerator overnight to slowly soften. This helps the texture to maintain its original form.
Step 3
Take the cheese out of the refrigerator and place it at room temperature. Let the cheese thaw for 2-3 hours before consumption.
How long will cotjiaa cheese last?
Cotija, if not frozen, will only last for 1-2 weeks, if sealed in plastic.
How to know if cotija has gone bad?
A universal sign for cheese that has gone bad is that it starts to smell like sour milk. Mold may also appear on the cheese, which can be cut off if it is a hard cheese, and the remaining part can be consumed.
What to make with cotija cheese?
Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
Cotija is a famous treat in Mexico that goes amazingly with a cob of corn. Cotja is sprinkled on top of the cob along with sour cream, spices and herbs. You can make it at home following this recipe.
Tacos
A classic Mexican delicacy, tacos are made with a finish of cotija cheese. It adds a salty flavor to the tacos.
Cotija does not melt when exposed to heat but softens, instead. This makes it perfect for grating and sprinkling on top of tacos or a cob of corn.
Red salsa with cotija cheese
What’s better than red salsa? Red salsa with cotija cheese. This mouthwatering dish is an incredible creation of Mexican cuisine.
Conclusion – can you freeze cotija cheese?
Cotija is a semi-hard cheese with a crumbly texture and a salty taste. It comes from Mexico, made in the hills of Michoacan.
Today we looked over whether it is possible to freeze cotija cheese and some examples of how to put this to task. We also explored other queries related to this question, along with discovering uses of cotija in cooking. If you want an overview of this topic, you might be interested in our general guide on how to freeze cheese.
