Food crazes often come and go, but cottage cheese may prove more resilient than many expect. Photo credit: AtlasStudio/Shutterstock
A few years ago, cottage cheese was hardly even known of here in Spain let alone the star of the dairy aisle. Most shoppers would have walked past it without a second thought, opting instead for yoghurt, fresh cheese or other familiar favourites. Today, the situation looks very different oblivious of what it was
Consumption of cottage cheese (or Queso Cottage as they call it in Spain) has risen by more than 60 per cent in Spain since 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing dairy products in the country. Demand has increased so sharply that some shoppers have struggled to find it on supermarket shelves, with Mercadona being one of the main retailers affected.
For many people, the sudden rise feels unexpected. Cottage cheese has been around for thousands of year and is a common part of daily meals for us Brits, so why has it suddenly become so popular here in Spain?
Social Media Has Given Cottage Cheese A New Life
Much of the credit belongs to social media. Over the past year, recipes featuring cottage cheese have appeared across TikTok and Instagram, introducing the product to people who may never have considered buying it before. From creamy pasta sauces and breakfast bowls to cheesecakes and healthy snacks, cottage cheese has become a regular ingredient in countless viral recipes.
Unlike some food trends, it is easy to recreate at home. Most recipes require only a handful of ingredients, making them accessible to almost anyone.
As more people began sharing their creations online, interest continued to grow. In many cases, shoppers bought cottage cheese for the first time simply because they were curious about the recipes appearing in their feeds. Once they discovered how many different ways it could be used, it quickly became a regular addition to their weekly shop.
Shoppers Like How Easy It Is To Use
One reason cottage cheese has found such a large audience is its versatility. It can be eaten straight from the tub, spread on toast, added to salads or blended into sauces. Some people pair it with fruit and honey, while others prefer it in savoury dishes.
Many foods enjoy a brief moment in the spotlight before disappearing again, but cottage cheese has become part of everyday meals for a growing number of consumers.
That practicality gives it an advantage over trends that rely purely on novelty. Busy lifestyles have also contributed to its success. Many consumers are looking for foods that fit easily into their daily routine without requiring lengthy preparation. Cottage cheese offers exactly that. It can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a quick snack, making it one of the more adaptable products in the supermarket.
It Appeals To Health-Conscious Consumers
The nutritional value of cottage cheese has also played a role in its success. It contains a significant amount of protein while remaining relatively low in calories, making it attractive to people looking for filling meal and snack options.
However, its popularity cannot be explained by nutrition alone. Healthy foods have always existed, yet very few experience this level of growth.
What sets cottage cheese apart is that it combines convenience with versatility. People are not simply buying it because it is considered healthy. They are buying it because they enjoy using it. The product has also benefited from changing attitudes towards food. Rather than following strict diet plans, many consumers now focus on finding ingredients that help them create satisfying meals. Cottage cheese fits comfortably into that approach, offering flexibility without feeling restrictive.
Mercadona Has Struggled To Keep Pace With Demand
The speed of the trend has surprised parts of the retail industry. As sales increased, some supermarkets found it difficult to keep shelves stocked. Mercadona has been among the main retailers affected by periods of exceptionally high demand, highlighting just how quickly consumer habits can change.
Producers have responded by increasing production, recognising that cottage cheese is no longer a niche product purchased by a small group of consumers. Instead, it has become a mainstream item found in shopping trolleys across Spain. Manufacturers are investing in additional production capacity in an effort to keep pace with demand and avoid shortages in the future.
Will The Craze Continue?
Food crazes often come and go, but cottage cheese may prove more resilient than many expect. It is affordable, widely available and easy to incorporate into daily meals. Those qualities tend to give products a longer lifespan than trends built entirely on social media attention.
Whether consumption continues to rise at the same pace remains to be seen, but cottage cheese has already achieved something remarkable. A product that spent years sitting quietly in supermarket refrigerators has become one of Spain’s most sought-after foods.
For now, it seems that shoppers cannot get enough of it. What began as a social media curiosity has developed into a genuine change in buying habits, transforming cottage cheese from an overlooked dairy product into one of the biggest food success stories in Spain these past two years.
