What Is Cotija Cheese And What Does It Taste Like? Cotija cheese is one of those ingredients that, if you haven’t yet heard of it or had the chance to try it, has the potential to change your life for the better. Cotija cheese might have noticed Cotija cheese in a few places: on a menu at a Mexican restaurant, or alongside other refrigerated cheeses at your grocery store, like queso blanco. Merriam-Webster defines Cotija cheese as “a hard, white, crumbly Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk,” and notes the term became popular somewhere around 1975.

The word “Cotija” is a reference to the Cotija municipality in Michoacán, Mexico, from where the cheese originates. Cotija cheese originates from Mexico, and is thought to have been created some 400 years ago. While you can find Cotija cheese in block form at the grocery store, the cheese is especially famous for its crumbly texture, meaning grating it over dishes is one of the ideal ways to use it. Mexican Food Journal likens the use of Cotija to Parmesan, in that it’s sprinkled into dishes in small quantities in order to enhance their flavor. What does cotija cheese taste like? This savory cheese has a salty-yet-milky flavor profile that can change over time, depending on how long it is aged. Cotija cheese has a more feta-like texture.

But as it ages, Cotija develops a sharper, firmer flavor profile and texture, which again is likened to Parmesan. Meaning: using it as a topping is a way to both enhance the savory flavors of your main dish and enjoy the unique flavor of Cotija itself. Isabel Eats points out that unlike many other cheeses, Cotija cheese doesn’t melt. Therefore, it is often used as a “finishing cheese” to top off a savory dish. There are a bunch of tasty recipes that utilize Cotija cheese, including Mexican Street Corn or Elote.

This particular dish is likely the most popular use of Cotija cheese, as its crumbly texture and savory flavor provides a creamy, salty, and mouthwatering accompaniment to the deliciously sweet corn and salty, tangy spices. And while other popular, traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and refried beans often see Cotija cheese sprinkled on top, it can definitely be used to complement non-Mexican dishes that could use a little extra salt or texture. Isabel Eats notes that Cotija is a fairly common cheese, which means it can be found “in many large grocery store chains and smaller Hispanic specialty grocers” throughout the country. That means that no matter where you are, you should be able to find Cotija cheese somewhere near you. Of course, if all else fails there’s always the internet! In major grocery stores, you’ll likely find Cotija cheese in the refrigerated section with other cheeses. It will depend on your store’s setup — sometimes Cotija cheese can be found in the refrigerated section alongside other artisanal cheeses sold by the block, other times it might be in a section dedicated to Mexican cheeses and other refrigerated ingredients.

For example, you might find a small section showcasing Cotija cheese, queso blanco, and salsa. If you have a Hispanic specialty store near you, definitely give it a try to see what kinds of Cotija they offer. Your local artisan cheese shop might have a small selection, too. If it seems difficult to find Cotija cheese in your local store, most large grocery stores and cheese-specific online retailers offer online delivery. As mentioned earlier, there’s both young and aged Cotija cheese, which have different textures and flavor profiles.