cotija cheese you’re not allowed to eat—here’s its shocking true substitute!

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:27:24 +0000

You’re Not Allowed to Eat Cotija Cheese—Here’s the Shocking True Substitute No One Tells You About When it comes to bold Mexican cheeses, cotija often takes center stage. Recognized as a protected ASI (Denominación de Origen) Mexican cheese, cotija is a crumbly, salty square with deep roots in traditional cuisine. Yet, here’s a shocking revelation: cotija cheese you’re not allowed to eat—what truly masquerades as “cotija” is something far more deceptive. ### Why Cotija Cheese Isn’t Always What You Think Cotija cheese is traditionally crafted from pasteurized cow’s milk, aged for months, and exported with strict quality controls. But what many consumers buy—especially in grocery stores or imported blends—isn’t the real deal. Due to smuggling, mislabeling, and counterfeit production, many products sold under “cotija” standards are actually imitations or substitutes made with low-quality milk, excessive preservatives, or even non-dairy inputs.