Panela, a white fresh and smooth cheese, has its roots from central Mexico. In Mexico, you’ll find the cheese some times molded in a basket and sold as queso de canasta or “basket cheese.”Cacique Panela is the mildest of our cheeses. A delectable, curd-style cheese made from Grade A, pasteurized, part-skim cow’s milk, rennet, and sea salt. Similar to Queso Fresco but slightly less crumbly, the texture is a cross between a firm ricotta.