Mexico is renowned for its fresh and pasta filata cheeses. And Mexican cheeses do not get much more famous than Panela. Read on to learn about this mixed milk fresh cheese. And discover how you can incorporate it in your cooking.
Where does Panela come from?
Panela is a traditional Mexican cheese that is made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. It is a soft, fresh cheese that is known for its mild, sweet, and slightly tangy flavour. Moreover, Panela has a crumbly texture and is often used as an ingredient in Mexican cuisine.
How is Panela cheese made?
To this day, Mexicans make Panela by heating their milk to a specific temperature and adding a starter culture and rennet. Once the curds and whey have been separated, they shape the curds into blocks or balls and press them for a few hours to expel the whey. After that, they leave their cheese to dry in the sun or in a well-ventilated area for a few days. As a result, Panela develops its characteristic crumbly texture.
The cheese is traditionally made by small-scale farmers and it is still commonly found in rural areas of Mexico. Moreover, a large number of home cheesemakers favour Panela because it is relatively easy and inexpensive to make.
How to serve Panela
Undoubtedly, this fresh cheese is very versatile in the kitchen. Indeed, you can serve it as a table cheese, grate it or even crumble it over dishes. Furthermore, Panela is a spectacular melting cheese, adding a smooth and creamy texture to Quesadillas and Chiles Rellenos. In addition to that, it is also frequently used as a topping for Tacos, Tostadas and Enchiladas, adding a tangy and salty flavour.
Thank you for reading
Thank you for reading this post about yet another amazing artisanal cheese. Have you tried this cheese before? Drop us a comment below with your thoughts.
If you enjoy learning about new cheeses, you can subscribe to our newsletter below. You will hear from us about once a week as we share new cheese profiles with you.
Finally, keep scrolling to find some more cheeses and recipes that have been recommended for you. Keep it cheesy!
