Queso Panela

Characteristics:

  • Fresh, sweet and mild in flavor
  • A higher moisture cheeses
  • Categorized as a soft cheese
  • Soft and creamy when heated, but does not melt
  • Does not mask the flavor of the dish, unlike American and other ethnic cheeses; adds to the flavor of the dish

Background:

  • Also, referred to as a "Fresh Cheese" in the wholesale market
  • Queso Panela is one of the most popular types of cheeses south of the border, which is also its region of origination

Serves as a substitute for:

  • Farmer's Cheese -- American
  • Basket Cheese -- Greek
  • Feta -- Greek
  • Queso Blanco -- Hispanic
  • Queso Seco -- Caribbean
  • Queso Para Freir -- Caribbean

Analytical:
  • Moisture45% - 49%
  • Salt2% - 3%
  • pH6.2 - 6.5
  • Fat25% - 28%
  • FDB44% - 51%

Microbiological:

  • Yeast/Mold0/g
  • E.Coli<10
  • Coliforms<10
  • Salmonella0
  • Staph0
  • L.Moncytogenes0
  • Lactobacilli0

Nutritional Information (per 28 grams):

  • Calories90
  • Calories from Fat70
  • Total Fat8g
  • Saturated Fat5g
  • Trans Fat0g
  • Cholesterol25mg
  • Sodium200mg
  • Total Carbohydrates<1g
  • Dietary Fiber0g
  • Sugars0g
  • Protein6g
  • Vitamin A6%
  • Vitamin C0%
  • Calcium20%
  • Iron0%

Ingredients:

    Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes

Packaging:

  • 40 lb. block
  • 5 lb. loaf
  • Retail Cuts

Shelf Life:

  • 40 lb. Block120 days
  • 5 lb. Loaf120 days
  • Retail cuts120 days

Temperature Requirements:

  • 34 - 40 degrees F.
    Queso Panela is a sweet, mild cheese with a fresh milk flavor.

Application and Additional Serving Suggestions:

  • Very versatile in application, unlike American and Italian-style cheeses
  • Valued by cooks and restaurant chefs alike for use in dishes or entrees where cheese must retain its shape and character
  • Traditional application includes: enchiladas, burritos, chile rellenos, deep-fat fried Panela sticks
  • Stuffed chicken breasts, stuffed peppers and stuffed mushrooms
  • Grilled chicken or beef shish kebabs
  • Baked in breads and pastries
  • Fried strips of Panela (nonstick skillet -- may top with tomatillos salsa or mango salsa)
  • Desserts
  • Appetizer - baked, cubed Panela wrapped in bacon
  • Cubed on salads and fruit
  • When forming hamburger patties, add shredded Queso Panela