Is Queso Fresco or Mozzarella a Better Option for You?

Choosing between different types of cheese can be difficult, especially when you have to pick between two nutritious options. Mozzarella vs queso fresco is one such tough choice.

As a nutritionist, today I help you make a pick between mozzarella and queso fresco by underlining their differences and similarities. 

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Mozzarella Vs Queso Fresco: Choosing The More Nutritious Cheese

Before we can understand the difference between mozzarella and queso fresco in details, let me take you through a quick overview of the same – 

*Source: USDA; Quantity defined is 1 ounce (28.4g)

Let us now delve a little deeper into these differences – 

Is Queso Fresco Mexican Mozzarella?

Many people believe that queso fresco is just the Mexican name for mozzarella. Well, this is not the case. Both are prepared differently. Mozzarella is made using cow or water buffalo milk. Rennet and cheese culture are added to warm milk to obtain curd cheese. This curd cheese is later transformed into a string form by heating it in water. 

Queso fresco is made by using cow milk or a mixture of cow and goat milk.  To heated milk, rennet and cheese cultures are added. This leads to the formation of curds. The curd is separated from the way and pressed for 1-3 days. The resulting product is fresh queso fresco. 

Mozzarella Cheese Vs Queso Fresco – What Type of Cheese Are These?

Mozzarella cheese can be best described as a type of semi-soft, rindless cheese. 

Queso Fresco is very similar to mozzarella in the way it looks. It is also a semi soft rindless cheese. 

Taste & Texture Differences in Mozzarella Vs Oaxaca Cheese? 

Fresh mozzarella is white in colour and has a soft and smooth texture.  It has a very delicate, mild and milky taste.  

The white queso fresco is soft, moist and crumbly in texture. It is a little salty, sour and milky in taste. 

Which Cheese Can Be Consumed Regularly – Mozzarella or Queso Fresco?

Fresh mozzarella and queso fresco are some of the most nutritious types of cheese. Therefore, both these can be included in your diet regularly. 

You can consume a maximum of 1-2 ounces i.e. up to 40 grams of a healthy cheese everyday. 

Mozzarella or Queso Fresco: The Cheese With a Higher Calorie Count?

Mozzarella and queso fresco are both low in calories when compared to many popular cheese types including cheddar and parmesan. 

If you are looking for low calorie, nutritious options in cheese, mozzarella and queso fresco are equally good.

Which is Lower in Carbs – Mozzarella Vs Queso Fresco Cheese?

If you take a look at the table I shared earlier, you will see that both mozzarella and queso fresco are pretty low in carbs. In comparison to mozzarella, however, queso fresco is slightly higher in carbs.

Because of the low carbohydrate content, both mozzarella and queso fresco can be good additions to your daily low carb diet plan. 

Mozzarella Vs Queso Fresco : Better for a Lower Fat Intake? 

Fat is an important constituent of all types of cheese. In fact the maximum calories in cheese can be attributed to its fat content.  

Mozzarella cheese, however, has a lower fat content when compared to queso fresco.   

Higher in Proteins – Mozzarella or Queso Fresco?

Proteins are essential for our body and it is important to consume its daily recommended quantity. Dairy and dairy products are some of the most rich sources of high quality protein

Both mozzarella and queso fresco are rich in protein and can help you fulfill your daily protein intake. Mozzarella, however, is richer in protein when compared to queso fresco.

The Cheese With More Calcium – Mozzarella or Queso Fresco?

Calcium is an important nutrient that is essential for our bones. Therefore, it is important to consume the recommended quantity of calcium daily. 

In comparison to mozzarella, Queso fresco is higher in calcium. This difference however is not too much.

Which Cheese Has Lower Sodium – Mozzarella or Queso Fresco?

Mozzarella and queso fresco are both fresh cheeses. Therefore, the quantity of sodium in these is  relatively lower than a lot of other cheese varieties. 

If we compare the cheese levels of mozzarella and queso fresco, we find that mozzarella has lower sodium levels than queso fresco cheese. 

How Does the Vitamin Profile of Mozzarella Differ From Queso Fresco? 

Since cheese is a byproduct of milk, it contains all the minerals and vitamins present in milk. Mozzarella and queso fresco both are rich in vitamins including A, B, E and K.  Some brand also fortify their product with extra vitamin D 

Apart from the vitamins, mozzarella and queso fresco are also rich in minerals. Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, etc.

Mozzarella Or Queso Fresco – Which Is Good for Your Overall Oral & Bone Health?

As I discussed earlier, both queso fresco and mozzarella are rich in minerals calcium and phosphorus. While calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth, phosphorus is needed for absorption of calcium. 

So, whether you choose queso fresco or mozzarella, they will both provide strength to your teeth and bones.  

Which Will be Digested Easily – Mozzarella or Queso Fresco Cheese? 

Since mozzarella and queso fresco both are made using cheese culture, they contain probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your gut health. 

Probiotics are known for their positive impact on your tummy. They not only aid digestion but also help fight infections. Both these cheeses are thus good for your tummy. 

How is Mozzarella Cheese Vs Queso Fresco Put to Use? 

Mozzarella cheese can be used in a number of ways.  Fresh mozzarella can be used in salad and sandwiches or melted on top of pizzas and pastas.  

Queso Fresco can also be put to use in a variety of dishes. It can be crumbled and used as a topping or can also be used as a filling. In comparison to Mozzarella, however, queso fresco does not melt but gives a nice brown colour on heating.  

Which Cheese Has a Longer Shelf Life – Mozzarella or American?

Fresh mozzarella cheese can be consumed and kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 days.  Processed mozzarella, on the other hand, has a longer shelf life. 

Queso Fresco can last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Store bought versions last longer than the homemade versions.  

Mozzarella and queso fresco are thus very similar to each other in nutrition. The difference between the two lies in their taste and cooking properties. Therefore, you can make a call on which one to pick based on your requirements. 

Let me know in the comment section your favourite kind of cheese.