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Cotija Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Cotija products
About Cotija
A Mexican cheese made from cow's milk, Cotija (pronounced kuh-tee-huh) has a salty flavor and dry texture. This distinct white-colored cheese is one of Mexico's most famous cheeses and hails from the town of Cotija in the Mexican state of Michoacán. Artisan cheesemakers living high in the mountains began producing the cheese more than 400 years ago in this region. They aged the cheese for at least two months but as long as 60 months.
Today, Cotija cheese is made by milling the cheese curd into smaller pieces and then mixing it with salt. The curds are pressed for some time to remove the moisture. It then sits in a salt brine for several days before being aged for 2-12 months. Many commercial producers add an enzyme to the cheese to speed up the aging process.
As a result, Cotija comes in two different types: fresh and aged. Both types of Cotija cheese are salty, but the fresh cheese is softer, like feta cheese, while the aged is harder and similar in texture to Parmesan. In fact, Cotija cheese is also known as the "Parmesan of Mexico." The longer the cheese has been aged, the sharper the flavor will be.
Cotija cheese will soften when heated, but it doesn't melt just like feta. You will often find Cotija used in Mexican meals as a finishing cheese. You can purchase Cotija in block form, which lets you break it or shave it into pieces, or buy it pre-grated. The grated cheese is similar to fine-grated Parmesan cheese. You can use it to enhance flavors found in dishes, including the following:
- Corn dips:Â Mix the Cotija and sour cream with corn in a skillet over high heat. Add jalapenos for some flavor, season, and serve right from the skillet with some tortilla chips or crackers.
- Elotes: Also known as Mexican sweet corn, this dish consists of corn on the cob slathered with mayonnaise or sour cream and topped with Cotija cheese, lime juice, cilantro, and ancho chili powder.
- Enchiladas: Once you remove the enchiladas from the oven, sprinkle the Cotija cheese on top right before serving.
- Quesadillas: Fill the tortilla with your choice of filing, including veggies, meat, and a cheese that melts, such as mozzarella or cheddar. Fold them closed, and fry them in oil. Top with aged Cotija for additional saltiness.
- Tacos: Since it doesn't melt, Cotija cheese is perfect for tacos. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the tacos.
- Tostadas: Similar to tacos, tostadas are another popular choice for Cotija cheese. After you add all your toppings, sprinkle the cheese on top.
To help you save time so you can focus on making one of these delicious recipes, shop for Cotija cheese via the Instacart app. Locate Cotija cheese on the app, add it to your cart, and an Instacart shopper will get started on your order. You can get your groceries delivered the same day, so you can enjoy Cotija in your meal that day.
How long does Cotija last?
Keeping cheese fresh after opening depends on the type of texture. Fresh Cotija cheese should last 1-2 weeks in its container. Aged Cotija cheese can remain enjoyable for 4-8 weeks if you store it properly. If you purchased Cotija in a block form and don't use all of it at once, rewrap it in parchment or waxed paper and store it in a resealable plastic bag or plastic container.
Cotija Near Me
Buy your favorite Cotija online with Instacart. Order Cotija from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about Cotija
Since it's so similar in texture and flavor to feta, you can swap out the feta for fresh Cotija in just about any recipe. Use aged Cotija instead of Parmesean or Romano. Similarly, you can use Queso Fresco instead of Cotija cheese in certain recipes, although the texture of Queso Fresco is creamier.
Like most cheese, Cotija is high in calcium with 31% of the daily value, or 300mg, in 1 ounce of cheese. It has 100 calories, of which 72 come directly from fat. It also includes 4% of Vitamin A, but it does have 18% of your sodium for the day with 429.6mg.
The simple answer is that it depends on which type of Cotija you want to freeze. You cannot freeze fresh Cotija as it will change the texture completely. You can freeze aged Cotija if it's in block form. Wrap the block of Cotija in plastic and seal it tightly. Place it in a freezer bag, and label the bag. You can keep the cheese in the freezer for 3-6 months. To thaw, simply move it to the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the texture might change slightly if the cheese is frozen and thawed.