Queso panela facts for kids
Queso panela is a popular Mexican cheese. It's a white, fresh, and soft cheese made from cow's milk that has been pasteurized (heated to kill germs). People sometimes call it queso canasta or queso de la canasta, which means "basket cheese." This is because it's often shaped in a basket.
This cheese is great in many dishes! You'll often find it in nopal salads or quesadillas. It's also similar to an Indian cheese called paneer. Queso panela easily takes on other flavors. Sometimes, it's even covered with a paste made from garlic and chili pepper.
Fresh panela cheese is a bit like Mozzarella because it can be stored in water. You can use it in similar ways to mozzarella. It can also be fried, and it holds its shape well without melting too much. This cheese is used in many different Mexican foods, like enchiladas and tacos. You might also find it in some kinds of guacamole.
There are many types of panela cheese. This is because different regions make it slightly differently. Also, some cheeses are aged for different amounts of time. One special kind comes from the mountain town of Tapalpa.
Where Does Queso Panela Come From?
The exact origin of Queso panela is a bit of a mystery. No one fully agrees on where it first came from. Some people think it started in the Balkan region or Southern Italy. In these places, people made other rustic cheeses using baskets.
The name "panela" also has a debated origin. Some believe the name comes from the baskets used to shape the cheese. These baskets were also used for bread, which is called pan in Spanish. Others argue that the name comes from its look. It looks like piloncillo, which is a type of unrefined cane sugar. This sugar is also called panela in many parts of Mexico.
What Does Queso Panela Look Like?
In markets, you'll see Queso panela sold as a white, cone-shaped cheese. The pieces usually weigh between 500 grams and 2 kilograms. Making it any larger would be hard. This is because the cheese is very soft and can easily change shape.
Fresh panela cheese is bright white. It has a slightly sour and salty taste.
