BajaNomad

Jack cheese equivalent in Mexico?

Hook - 2-6-2007 at 08:46 PM

Well, I seem to be stuck on a food theme lately. Nothing like another failed New Years resolution to bring it out in me.

I went into a large Ley recently in search of your basic Monterey-style jack cheese. You know, the mellow white kind that you find in most any quesadilla in the states.

What I found was the most amazing assortment of solid white cheeses, this side of Wisconsin or Denmark or wherever. I mean, they had 4 kinds of ranchero cheese, 3 kinds of asiago cheese, etc. etc. But nothing that seemed quite like regular old jack cheese by the sight, pinch, poke or feeble attempt at translation.

In two separate purchases, we found two cheeses that were quite good. But they were a bit stronger than jack and they didnt have the same melted consistency. Ended up being more like a mozarrella in one case and a cheddar in another.

Can someone tell me what they call jack cheese in Mexico? Or, if that's not available, a cheese from Mexico that's somewhat similar?

Paula - 2-6-2007 at 09:06 PM

I buy Reale Monterey jack in Pescador and several other markets in Loreto, either in bulk or 1 pound package. It seems to be imported from California. The package I just bought breaks into chunks when I slice it, but it was very good on the burgers we just had for dinner with roasted poblanos. There is another one, packaged, from Chihuahua-- queso de monterrey-- is it Joseph Farms, or Mennonite Brothers? Whatever-- it is somehow holy but not holey. And it is really good cheese.

comitan - 2-6-2007 at 09:07 PM

Try Chen Light, if you buy 6 Pks and keep them in the bottom of your refer for 6 Months very good, just make sure you keep adding to the stash.

bajabound2005 - 2-6-2007 at 09:29 PM

Asadero (might be Asedero) is a great substitute but we've found Mont Jack darn near everywhere; like the US, Mexican markets seems to have a couple different "cheese" sections so look around carefully!

LaRibereņa - 2-7-2007 at 08:26 AM

I think the Manchego is very like Jack. Try it.

bajabound2005 - 2-7-2007 at 08:59 AM

I second that on the Manchego -- a good melting cheese also.

bufeo - 2-7-2007 at 10:22 AM

If you are trying to stay 'purist' with the Monterey Jack, then you'll want a semi-hard (non-aged) cheese made from cow's milk. Manchego cheese is made from sheep's milk and while delicious will not perform exactly like the Oaxaca (sometimes labeled Asadero), which is Mexico's closest relative to the Monterey Jack.

The queso Chihuahua and the queso menonita, both from cow's milk, will also impart the same characteristics as Monterey Jack.

The Oaxaca has excellent melting qualities and is often the cheese you will find in quesadillas.

You can even find Monterey Jack in Ley, Gigante, Mega, or even some of the smaller markets. I know we purchase it in the Leys and Megas in Mexicali. I think the Wal-Mart there has it as well.

larry - 2-7-2007 at 10:42 AM

I bought Jack cheese in a Ley store in Mexicali recently---it may not have been produced in Mexico, but it was packaged there.

Paula - 2-7-2007 at 11:00 AM

Bufeo, I think that asadero is not the same as queso de oaxaca, which is a string cheese sold in braid or knot as a rule. It is a wonderful cheese, but isn't like jack. The asadero cheeses that I have tried are similar to american cheese, or velveeta, without the yellow.

Hook - 2-7-2007 at 11:12 AM

Thanks for that info, bufeo. I think I remember seeing the Oaxacan cheese you were talking about.

The Ley I was in was on the mainland where the importation of American jack cheese may be less practical, being so close to the cheese regions of Mexico.

And Bajabound, I DO remember seeing more than one cheese section in this Ley and I didn't check one of them. It was the one with the ladies behind the deli style counter with cheese in bulk. It was probably over there.

Natalie Ann - 2-7-2007 at 11:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
And Bajabound, I DO remember seeing more than one cheese section in this Ley and I didn't check one of them. It was the one with the ladies behind the deli style counter with cheese in bulk. It was probably over there.


Hook - That is exactly where it was in the Ensenada Ley's I shopped at a few weeks ago. :yes:

Nena

Cypress - 2-7-2007 at 11:33 AM

Cheese made from goats milk is really good.:) It's called Feta?:spingrin:

bufeo - 2-7-2007 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Paula
Bufeo, I think that asadero is not the same as queso de oaxaca, which is a string cheese sold in braid or knot as a rule. It is a wonderful cheese, but isn't like jack. The asadero cheeses that I have tried are similar to american cheese, or velveeta, without the yellow.


That could be. I am under the impression that when oaxaca is in string form it's labeled quesillo and when in brick, asadero.

It wouldn't be the first time I've misunderstood food labels in other countries. :rolleyes:

P.S. I just looked in my World Atlas of Cheese and find this:

"Asadero, or Oaxaca, is a fresh and easily melted cheese that was made in the early days on the farms of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, but now mostly in cheese factories. It is a plastic curd cheese like Provolone, for which the kneaded curd is pulled in threads. They are wrapped together in a ball, put in brine for ten minutes, then packed in a plastic bag for immediate sale. This cheese is eaten with beer and bread or tortillas."

...I like the last sentence. :bounce:

marla - 2-7-2007 at 12:59 PM

I wish I could find real Oaxacan cheese in So Cal!!!! The cheese I have eaten in Oaxaca, white, deliciously tangy and with a melted consistency like mozzarella, where it pulls like string cheese when melted, is so delicious there's nothing else like it. We are all crazy about it in our family. But every time I buy a cheese here that claims to be Oaxacan cheese, it's never the real thing!!!! Very disappointing.

bufeo - 2-7-2007 at 01:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by marla
I wish I could find real Oaxacan cheese in So Cal!!!!...


Try the Trader Joe's on PCH or Belflower. Also, I'd bet that Wild Oats on PCH would have the real thing.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not affiliated with either of those chains.

Minnow - 2-7-2007 at 02:23 PM

I know of a Oaxaca cheese factory just outside of Ensenada. U2U me if you want details. It is a small mom and Pop operation and they only make the fresh and the Oaxaca in small batches. Some of the best cheese I have ever eaten, but I don't want them to be out next time I stop by the Rancho, so this info is strictly hush hush.:biggrin:

Paula - 2-7-2007 at 02:27 PM

Bufeo, it sounds like you know your cheese, and you've found a better asadero than I have. The Oaxacan cheese I love is a bit salty, maybe from brine, and melts more like dry mozzarella.

And you're right-- beer, bread tortillas are a great enhancement to any cheese!

bajabound2005 - 2-7-2007 at 08:55 PM

Hose A --which Gigante? The Super Gigante further in town on Reforma or the corner of Reforma and whatever that turn is with the Gigante/Office Depot???

Mango - 2-7-2007 at 10:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Hose A --which Gigante? The Super Gigante further in town on Reforma or the corner of Reforma and whatever that turn is with the Gigante/Office Depot???


I'm pretty sure I've seen Jack cheese at the Gigante near Justo Sierra & Independencia across the street from Hotel Lucerna in Mexicali.

It could have also been the Ley nearby or the Sorrianas by the mall... lol. I know I bought some at one of those places; but, I shop Gigante most often since it is near my place.

I will be in Mexicali tomorrow... So I will check it out for you this weekend and report back.

Bajajorge - 2-8-2007 at 10:09 AM

On Hwy 5 about 20 miles south of Mexicali there is a farm that makes and sells their own cheese. The type I had was very close to Montery Jack and melted really well in cooking.

Mango - 2-9-2007 at 08:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajorge
On Hwy 5 about 20 miles south of Mexicali there is a farm that makes and sells their own cheese. The type I had was very close to Montery Jack and melted really well in cooking.


I've seen that place. I will have to stop by next time I'm driving by.

I did see Jack Cheese & Pepper Jack Cheese today in Sorrianas on Lopez Mateos. I'll have to check the Gigante next time I am there.

bajabound2005 - 2-9-2007 at 08:18 PM

In Ensenada, the Commercial Mexicana definitely has Mont Jack as does the Super Gigante on the Reforma. Smart & Final and Costco also for sure carry it.

Hook - 2-10-2007 at 11:32 AM

At this point, I'd say it's official..............I gave up too soon in my search for real Jack cheese. Most everyone sees it in their markets.

Just to be clear, does it actually say jack cheese somewhere on it in English?

bajabound2005 - 2-10-2007 at 01:11 PM

Yup, saw it today at Costco, also had Pepper Jack. Now, Hose A, some brands say QUESO!!!

Cypress - 2-10-2007 at 01:19 PM

Don't know "Jack" about cheese, but that Mexicali cheese sounds good.:tumble::spingrin:

DENNIS - 2-10-2007 at 02:35 PM

Seems as though the real thing is everywhere. What else can we look for?
Oh, I know. How about anything with the EQUATE label in WalMart, the in-house label which offers so many consumer items at around half of the name brand price in a real-life WalMart.
Oh. It isn't here in Mexico? So much for saving money at WalMart.