Named after the town of Cotija, Michoacán where it originated, Cotija cheese has a strong, salty flavor and mostly used as a topping or mixed into sauces. Traditionally, Cotija is made with cow's milk and is a seasonal cheese produced by artisan cheese makers living high in the mountains.

Made from cow's milk, fresh cotija resembles feta cheese. After aging, it's more like crumbly parmigiano-reggiano, and Cotija cheese is very versatile, so it can be used in a variety of ways. In Mexico it is often used to enrich the flavor of savory hot dishes.

While Cotija will soften with heat, it doesn't melt, making it most suited for crumbling and sprinkling. Of course, it's most frequently in Mexican cooking - you might see it as a finishing flourish on enchiladas, nachos, tacos, chilaquiles, or posole.

Cotija is an aged Mexican cheese made from cow's milk and named after the town of Cotija, Michoacán. White in color and firm in texture, its flavor is salty and milky.

Nutrition and calories It is particularly high in calcium, which helps to maintain healthy teeth and bones. However, cotija is also relatively high in saturated fat and salt (sodium), both of which are contributing factors to heart disease and other illnesses if eaten to excess.

: a hard, white, crumbly Mexican cheese made from cow's milk. Another Mexican-style cheese that's great for summer meals is cotija. Firm, white, and salty, it crumbles readily and is a grand alternative to parmesan in salads or sprinkled over vegetables.

Nutrition and calories It is particularly high in calcium, which helps to maintain healthy teeth and bones. However, cotija is also relatively high in saturated fat and salt (sodium), both of which are contributing factors to heart disease and other illnesses if eaten to excess.

Cotija adds a savory, salty flavor and crumbly texture to a variety of foods. Since it doesn't melt, add cotija to dishes at the last moment.

8 Delicious Cotija Recipes

1. Chorizo and Walnut-Stuffed Mushrooms.
2. Weeknight Shrimp Tacos.
3. Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with Cotija Cornbread Croutons.
4. Mexican Summer Cobb Salad.
5. Deep Dish Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
6. Roasted Mexican Street Carrots.
7. Pork Tostadas Ahogadas.
8. Comforting Mexican Lasagna with Noodles.

Throw into bean dip, corn dip, guacamole, queso dip, or even a beer cheese dip at your next potluck. Toss some into a bowl of vegetarian or meat-based chili to add complexity. Grate some onto a crisp Caesar salad for some Mexican flair. Spoon some over a fresh slice of watermelon and add a few squirts of lime.

Cotija cheese is a milky tasting cheese with an addictively salty flavor. Depending on how long the cheese has been aged, it will either be moist (like feta) or hard (like parmesan). The older the cheese (meaning it's aged for a longer period of time), the sharper the flavor will be.

8 Delicious Cotija Recipes

1. Chorizo and Walnut-Stuffed Mushrooms.
2. Weeknight Shrimp Tacos.
3. Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with Cotija Cornbread Croutons.
4. Mexican Summer Cobb Salad.
5. Deep Dish Black Bean Enchilada Casserole.
6. Roasted Mexican Street Carrots.
7. Pork Tostadas Ahogadas.
8. Comforting Mexican Lasagna with Noodles.

The 9 Healthiest Types of Cheese

• Mozzarella.
• Blue cheese.
• Feta.
• Cottage cheese.
• Ricotta.
• Parmesan.
• Swiss.
• Cheddar.

Mexican Cotija cheese is aged, dry, and crumbly. It's the perfect cheesy addition to soups, salads, beans, and (of course) Mexican street corn - elote! Once you try it, you'll want to have this sharp and salty queso on hand.