Today, cheese is an essential part of Mexican cuisine, but that wasn’t always the case. If you can’t imagine digging into your favorite burrito or enchilada without some cheddar or Monterey jack cheese on top, you’re not alone, but you are enjoying a relatively new addition to Mexican cuisine. That’s not to say your favorite Mexican food in NH isn’t authentic. Cheese as we know it has been a part of Mexican cuisine for about 500 years, so it’s earned its place.
Cheese is integral to Mexican food in NH and around the world. Here’s how it became a staple of Mexican cuisine.
Cheese Before the Spanish
Although cows are not native to the Americas, other milk-producing animals are, so there was some cheese in Mexico before the Spanish arrived. The indigenous people of Mexico made cheese from sheep’s milk. The methods of cheese-making were different from those they learned from the Europeans, but they bore some similarities.
European Influences and Changes
When the Spanish arrived early in the 16th century, they brought new livestock and cheese-making methods with them. The most significant change to cheese in Mexico was the introduction of cattle to the Americas. Since most of the cheeses we consume are made from cow’s milk, introducing cattle to the Americas was an absolute game-changer in cheese-making.
The Spanish also brought their cheese-making techniques to the Americas. These methods were incorporated into traditional Mexican cuisine to create something new and unique.
Common Mexican Cheeses
Mexico is one of the largest cheese producers (and consumers) in the world. Mexican cheese is part of a rich tradition that offers a unique contribution to the national cuisine. Here are some of the most popular Mexican cheeses:
- Queso fresco: A fresh, white cheese that is often used in tacos and enchiladas.
- Queso Oaxaca: A stringy, white cheese that is often used in quesadillas and burritos.
- Queso Chihuahua: A hard, yellow cheese that is often used in grating and melting.
- Queso Cotija: A hard, salty cheese that is often used as a topping for tacos and enchiladas.
- Queso Anejo: A very hard, aged cheese that is often used for grating and melting.
Mexican Food in NH | El Tapatio
No matter how you like to enjoy cheese in your Mexican food in NH, you’ll find all your favorites on our menu at El Tapatio. From crunchy nachos to creamy enchiladas, we have it all. Visit us at 707 Milford Road in Merrimack and dig into some delicious Mexican food!