Queso fresco, a popular cheese of Mexican origin is often confused with other Mexican cheeses like cotija. This type of cheese is popular because of the savoury flavour it adds to dishes. If you have never heard of queso fresco cheese than this article is a must read. The first part of this article will highlight what queso fresco is and how it tastes like so that you might have an idea of what to expect when you eat it. The health benefits of queso fresco will also be explained in detail and the article will lastly give a brief illustration of how queso fresco can be used.
Contents
What is queso fresco?
Queso fresco, also referred to as fresh cheese because of its soft texture, is a Mexican type of cheese made from cow’s milk of from a combination of goat milk and cow’s milk. It is a type of cheese that is designed not to melt so it is usually crumbled and used as a topping on many dishes. When queso fresco is placed on heat it becomes soft and gooey, so you can either incorporate it as a sauce or dip. Queso fresco has a white colour to it and also a creamy texture. Queso fresco is made from acidified milk that has been left to curdle, it is then strained in cheesecloth and pressed to form queso fresco. The queso fresco is then left to age for a few days before being packed and sold.
What does queso fresco taste like
Queso fresco’s taste is similar to the taste of mozzarella and goat cheese. Queso fresco tastes salty and it has a sour kick to it. Although queso fresco is creamy by nature it does not taste buttery. The flavour of queso fresco can also be described as being fresh, bright, milky and mild.
Nutrients and health benefits of queso fresco
NB: it is important to know that queso fresco is rich in 6 micro nutrients as will be noted below, however it contains lactose, so if you are lactose intolerant you might experience a few side effects.
Queso fresco is rich in calcium
Queso fresco is rich in calcium because it is a by-product of milk which is very rich in calcium. This cheese contains 23% of the daily required amount of calcium. The importance of calcium in the body is that it strengthens the bones and teeth. Furthermore, calcium helps with digestion and muscle function in the human body.
Queso fresco is rich in phosphorus
Queso fresco contains about 22% of the recommended daily allowance of phosphorus. This nutrient helps to promote normal growth in children. Phosphorous is also essential because it helps the body cells to function normally and also it helps to keep the bones strong.
Queso fresco contains Vitamin B12
The other advantage of consuming queso fresco is that it has vitamin B12. Queso fresco contains 17% of the required daily amount of vitamin B which is very essential for the body since it helps with cognitive development, the immune system and also it helps to reduce fatigue and tiredness.
Queso fresco contains vitamin A
Queso fresco is a source of vitamin A which helps to boost good eye sight. Moreover, vitamin A helps with the immune system, it helps the body to absorb iron. Queso fresco contains 12% of the required daily amount of vitamin A, so if you have poor eye sight you can try eating queso fresco.
Queso fresco contains zinc
Another important mineral found in queso fresco is zinc, it boosts the immune system by helping it with DNA creation, cell division, eye sight and lastly it helps your brain to function normally so that it can quickly process information.
Queso fresco contains selenium
Queso fresco contains 12% of the required daily allowance of selenium which helps to support the immune system and aids in normal thyroid formation in the body. Furthermore, selenium is important in strengthening the body cells so that they can fight disease.
What queso fresco can be used for
Use queso fresco to make a sauce
Since queso fresco cannot be melted you can turn it into a sauce. You can use evaporated milk to make the sauce or you can use any ingredients that you like, but make sure that they are able to compliment with queso fresco. When making a sauce using queso fresco you need to grate it into small pieces so that it takes a shorter time to soften up. When the sauce is done you will notice that it will have a smooth texture.
Use queso fresco as a filling
When making burritos or quesadillas, you can incorporate queso fresco as a filling. When queso fresco is heated it becomes softer so you are guaranteed of eating a delicious burrito or quesadilla.
Use queso fresco as a garnish in soups
The other exciting way of using queso fresco cheese is by crumbling it and sprinkling it in your soup as a garnish, it will add a savoury taste to the soup. Queso fresco can be added into soups like tortilla soup, gazpacho and black bean soup.
Conclusion
Queso fresco is a very popular cheese which is used in many Mexican dishes. This type of cheese does not melt but when heated it turns soft. Queso fresco tastes like goat cheese and mozzarella and it has a salty sour kick to it. Although queso fresco has a soft creamy texture, it does not have a buttery taste when eaten. There are a number of nutrients that are found in queso fresco and these include calcium, vitamin A and B12, zinc, phosphorus and selenium. All these 6 nutrients help to boost the immune system and are very essential to the human body. So if you have any health challenges you can start eating queso fresco it will help to boost the immune system. The article has also highlighted how queso fresco can be used and it has noted that it can be used to make sauces, fillings and also garnishes.
