From Dips to Gourmet - Creative Applications for Queso Flavors

Latin American cheeses, or Queso, might be among the best-kept culinary secrets.

Unlike many famous European cheeses that are best eaten as part of a charcuterie flight or as a wine pairing, many of these Quesos are made to be the perfect accompaniment to so many recipes.

“In Mexico, many versions of fresh cheeses are produced artisanally, using traditional techniques and fresh milk from cows, goats, or sheep, which increases its diversity. They are also usually affordable and widely available, making them an ideal element in the Mexican diet,” says Alicia Vega, Edlong’s Director – LATAM R&D.

She adds, “A lot of Queso have a soft and slightly moist texture which makes it easy to crumble or grate, slice or even spread, which makes it adaptable for dishes such as tacos, tostadas, soups or appetizers. All of these characteristics combined, along with their cultural role, make them a fundamental ingredient of Mexican cuisine.”

However, according to Angie Lantman, Manager – NA Applications at Edlong, it might be time to let the secret of Queso out.

“Queso isn’t just for Mexican and Latin American cuisine. It creates an amazing opportunity for companies to add creative twists to a wide range of applications.”

Getting Creative with Queso

In the recent article Queso that Inspires and Differentiates, our international team of applications experts looked at how the smooth, creamy, and mild profiles of Queso make it perfect for combining all kinds of flavors, like smokey and spicy.

Yet, they can also create exciting and exotic ways to differentiate products in their own right.

For example, Queso Fresco could be a great topping option for salads. It pairs well with spinach, kale, beets, nuts, and fruits and could be a delicious, lower-sodium option over something like a traditional Feta cheese.

Similarly, pan-fried Queso Blanco can make a great high-protein snack, crispy topping for soups and salads, or even a side dish to a favorite meal.

Then, of course, there is everyone’s favorite Queso dip. Using different combinations of Queso cheese profiles can help enhance this crowd-pleaser or help to transform it from a dip to a rich, decadent cheese sauce, perfect for elevating vegetables or even the classic mac and cheese.

With the ubiquity of cheese across so many sectors, the opportunities for Queso are endless.

“As far as product potential, Queso profiles are already stars in sauces and dips, but I think there is great potential for much more.” Lantman continues, explaining that “Breakfast foods, including scrambled eggs or frittatas, crave-able side dishes like baked or scalloped potatoes or roasted cauliflower could all be enhanced by Queso. Honestly, a creamy Queso sauce could even be used on a pizza instead of tomato sauce.”

Out of all of the different segments developers can utilize Queso in, Lantman sees snacks and seasonings as perhaps the most apparent area for growth.

“As consumers are looking to expand their cheese options and variety in their daily food choices, we are seeing more and more requests for Mexican cheese profiles like Queso [Blanco and Fresco] and cotija for snacks and seasonings.”

Over the past couple of years, Cotija, in particular, gained mainstream attention with the explosion in the popularity of “Elote” flavored products. Everything from dips to seasonings, nuts, and popcorn looked to capture the magic of the Mexican street-food staple.

Similarly, Queso Blanco has been featured in both chips and dips, taking advantage of the differentiation potential offered by these more exotic and intriguing profiles.

Whether it’s snacks, sauces, or a sit-down meal, Edlong’s international team of R&D experts can help find an authentic and customized Queso flavor solution tailored to take your next cheesy application creation to the next level.