Cotija Cheese

The Journey from the Farm to Your Plate: Trace the Science Behind Making Cotija Cheese

Cheese has been around for centuries and is a popular delicacy in many cultures. Its flavor, textural variations, and nutritional content make it a staple in many homes and restaurants. One cheese in particular, a Mexican cow’s milk cheese called cotija, has become a favorite of many due to its distinctive flavor and firm texture. But how does this cheese fit in with the rest of the cheese family? To get the story behind cotija cheese, we will take a look at its production, maturation, and preparation. In doing so, we will gain a greater appreciation of this dairy delight and be able to better understand what goes into making the delicious taco topper.

What is Cotija Cheese?

Cotija cheese is a Mexican hard cheese made from cow’s milk and produced in primarily in the Mexican states of Michoacán and Oaxaca. It is a traditional cheese that is noted for its salty, pungent flavor and crumbly, semi-firm texture. Depending on the age of the cheese, its flavor can range from mild to strong and its texture from hard and crumbly to soft and spreadable. While it is most closely associated with Mexican cuisine, it can also be used in all sorts of dishes, from sandwiches to pastas and salads.

Science Behind the Production of Cotija Cheese

To create cotija cheese, factors such as the size and temperature of the milk batches and the starter cultures used need to be taken into account.

The production of this cheese first begins with the production of cows’ milk. The cows must be healthy and well-tended in order to produce the necessary milk. Generally, cows are milked twice a day and the milk is chilled as soon as possible to preserve its quality and help combat bacteria growth.

Once the milk is collected, it is brought to the production plant and tested to ensure it meets quality standards for use in cheese making. The fat content of the milk is closely examined in order to determine the type of cheese that will be produced from it. If the fat content is low, it will result in a softer cheese, while a higher fat content will deliver a firmer cheese.

After passing inspection, the milk must be heated to a certain temperature range, depending on the type of cheese being produced. For this cheese, the temperature must be warm enough for the starter culture to activate and for the proteins in the milk to begin to denature. These denatured proteins will later undergo fermentation in order to change their structure and give the cheese its desired flavor and texture.

Next, the starter culture, which generally consists of specific strains of lactic acid bacteria, is added to the warm milk. Besides triggering the denaturation process, the lactic acid bacteria help to develop the desired flavors, prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria, and control the acidity of the cheese. Once the starter culture has been added, the mixture is left to rest in order to allow the bacteria to work its magic.

The next step in the process is unique to cotija cheese, as it uses a unique “’dry-salting” technique to give it its distinct flavor. During this step, the cheese curd is hand-salted on both sides before being pressed into its final shape. After that, the cheese is aged for varying amounts of time, from a few months to several years, depending on the type of cotija cheese being produced.

This drying and aging process helps the cheese to develop its flavors, the higher fat content and salt content working together to preserve it over time. The longer the cheese is aged, the sharper and saltier its flavour becomes, with some cotija cheeses lingering in fermentation up to 36 months.

Appreciation of Cotija Cheese

By now, it should be clear that cotija cheese is a complex creation that must be monitored and adjusted to create the perfect product. Each step of the process contributes to the flavor and texture of the final product, allowing this cheese to stand out among its cheese counterparts.

For those with an appreciation for cheese, the unique characteristics of cotija are unsurpassable. Its pungent and salty flavors are enhanced by its bright yellow color and its crumbly texture, which makes it an ideal topping for tacos, nachos, and other Mexican dishes. That same textural difference provides a contrast between the rest of the ingredients in the dish, making it even more satisfying.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cotija cheese is a unique Mexican cheese that is produced, matured, and prepared in a way that ensures a safe and delicious food product. Careful attention must be paid to the ingredients, equipment, and processes used in its production. This can include the fat content of the milk, the starter cultures used to ferment the cheese, and the salting and aging process. This attention to detail ensures a flavorful, crumbly cheese that stands out among its cheese peers. Now that you know the process behind making cotija cheese, be sure to try out some of its delicious topping varieties the next time your tacos, nachos, or salads come calling.