Mexican cheese question.

[knucklesandwich]

NYC has lots of Mexican food carts now, and most of them make tasty sandwiches that, paradoxically, include this white, stretchy, chicle-like substance that has no taste whatsoever.

What do you call this stuff?

[Soul Vole]

Maybe panela? Even here in Mexico City I have a hard time finding panela that doesn't have the taste of tofu (i.e., almost none), and I don't think I've ever had a torta where I thought the panela brought something to it. It goes nicely on salads though and I'm pretty sure it's panela that I see a lot crumbled on top of enchiladas, refried beans, and what have you.

[paulj]

Panela is a fresh cheese, with a squeaky texture. It doesn't melt much.

Other other hand 'stretchy' brings to mind Oaxaca, which is more like a string cheese.

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Articles...

[knucklesandwich]

I think I've had 2 kinds; one is stringy and tasteless, and the other is more slabby, and equally flavorful.

I don't get it. Is it supposed to taste like rubber? Does it lose something at this latitude?

[BuildingMyBento]

Oaxacan cheese reminds me of a less-salty mozzarella, which is a very good thing to think about on a torta...