C alifornia is the nations No. 1 dairy state and is a leading producer of cheese. It is believed that much more queso fresco is made and sold by unlicensed vendors through unlicensed manufacturers. This cheese is sold door to door by street vendors, at swap meets, flea markets and some small neighborhood markets. Under California law, it is a felony to manufacture and sell cheese from an unlicensed facility.
Queso fresco is a fresh, soft, high-moisture white cheese that has a mild, slightly salty flavor.
It is the most popular Hispanic-style cheese. It does not melt when heated and is often used as a topping or filling in cooked dishes, as a snack, or served with fruit. When sold in large pieces it is also known as Adobera. Some unlicensed cheesemakers also use raw, unpasteurized milk, which can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria. Salmonella and Listeria are the most frequent types of bacteria found in cheese made by unlicensed manufacturers.