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Hook
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Jack cheese equivalent in Mexico?
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?
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Paula
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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.
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comitan
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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.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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bajabound2005
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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!
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LaRibereña
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I think the Manchego is very like Jack. Try it.
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bajabound2005
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I second that on the Manchego -- a good melting cheese also.
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bufeo
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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.
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larry
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I bought Jack cheese in a Ley store in Mexicali recently---it may not have been produced in Mexico, but it was packaged there.
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Paula
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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.
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Hook
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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.
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Natalie Ann
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| 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. 
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Cypress
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Cheese made from goats milk is really good. It's called Feta?
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bufeo
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| 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. 
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. 
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marla
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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.
If a man walks in the woods for love of them half of each day, he is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a
speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed an industrious and enterprising citizen. Henry David
Thoreau
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bufeo
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| 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.
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Minnow
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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.
Proud husband of a legal immigrant.
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Paula
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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!
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bajabound2005
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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???
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Mango
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| 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.
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Bajajorge
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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.
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