Maria Magdalena Carmen Mendoza (70) makes panela or piloncillo at her home in Llano Silleta, Guerrero State. Panela is unrefined whole cane sugar, which is a solid form of sucrose derived from the boiling and evaporation of sugarcane juice. It’s other name, piloncillo, means little loaf, because of the traditional shape in which this smoky, caramel-like and earthy sugar is produced.