Traditional tortillas in Mexican cuisine are made from maize flour or corn flour. Although flour tortillas are prevalent, maize tortillas precede flour tortillas. The origins of corn tortillas may be traced back to the Aztecs, although the production of flour tortillas did not begin until the Spanish imported wheat to Mexico.
Read the nutrition statistics and ingredient list before purchasing a corn tortilla. Numerous mass-produced corn tortillas include corn flour and wheat flour, altering their nutritional composition.
What is a Corn Tortilla Made of?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a medium-sized corn tortilla has the following ingredients and weighs around 28 grams:
- 12.8 grams of water (we get about 20 per cent of our daily water intake from food and other beverages)
- 12.5 grams of carbohydrates
- 1.6 grams of protein
- 1.76 grams of dietary fibre
- 0.798 grams of lipid (fat)
- 0.246 grams of sugar
- 52.1 milligrams of potassium
- 22.7 milligrams of calcium
- 20.2 milligrams of magnesium
- 0.344 milligrams of iron
- 12.6 milligrams of sodium
Tortillas made entirely of maize are a wonderful option for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Remember to check the nutrition label to confirm that wheat flour has not been added.
Corn tortillas vs Flour Tortillas
The typical medium-sized flour tortilla weighs 45 grammes and comprises the following ingredients, according to the USDA:
- 14.4 grams of water
- 22.2 grams of carbohydrates
- 3.69 grams of protein
- 1.58 grams of dietary fibre
- 3.6 grams of lipid (fat)
- 1.67 grams of sugar
- 56.2 milligrams of potassium
- 65.7 milligrams of calcium
- 9.9 milligrams of magnesium
- 1.63 milligrams of iron
- 331 milligrams of sodium
Typically wider and thicker than corn tortillas, flour tortillas provide an excellent basis for burritos and other similar dishes.
Although neither tortilla is unhealthy, flour tortillas are often regarded as the less nutritious alternative. The typical flour tortilla has more carbohydrates, fat, sugar, and salt, but less magnesium and fibre. In addition, some find it simpler to adhere to portion sizes when recipes are cooked using smaller corn tortillas rather than flour tortillas.
Try a whole wheat tortilla instead of a refined flour tortilla if you enjoy flour tortillas or if a recipe calls for them. White bread has fewer vitamins and minerals than whole wheat bread.
How to Make Corn Tortillas
How should you monitor what enters and exits your body? Many individuals debate the optimal method of food preparation. Others love the comfort of cooking from scratch and the flavour of home-cooked meals.
If you want to prepare handmade corn tortillas, the procedure is straightforward. You must:
- Corn meal (available online, at most Mexican markets, and some chain grocery stores)
- Warm water
- The use of a tortilla press or rolling pin
- Parchment paper or plastic wrap sheets
- A griddle, skillet, or frying pan
- Alternate flavourings, such as half a teaspoon of salt and half a tablespoon of olive oil.
Mix 1 12 to 2 cups of hot water with 2 cups of maize flour in a bowl. If olive oil and salt are available, add these as well. Stir the mixture to blend, then let it settle for a few minutes.
Next, knead the dough for several minutes with your hands until it is flexible. Ideally, it should feel smooth and non-sticky, comparable to working with clay. If the dough is too moist or too dry, add more water or flour.
If you need tortillas with enhanced flavour, let the dough rest for 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re hungry and anxious to eat, though, you may skip this stage.
Form the dough into balls about the size of the palm of your hand. Additionally, you may experiment with making bigger or smaller balls for various tortilla sizes.
If using a tortilla press, lay a parchment or plastic sheet, a tortilla ball, and then another sheet on the press. Gently press the tortilla until it is about 4 to 5 inches wide.
If using a rolling pin, lay the ball between two sheets and flatten it until it resembles a disc. Use the rolling pin to get the correct dimensions and thickness.
Once you have a raw tortilla, fry it over high heat in a skillet. Cook each side for 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The tortilla should seem gently browned with edges that are curling and air pockets developing.
You may serve the tortillas immediately or refrigerate them for a later dinner.
What If I Do Not Like Corn Tortillas?
If corn tortillas are not to your liking, you are not restricted to flour tortillas. You will find several sorts of tortillas to attempt with a little ingenuity and investigation.
Cauliflower tortillas are a possibility:
- Using a blender or food processor, chop a head of cauliflower into pieces smaller than rice grains. Many grocery shops offer frozen cauliflower rice, allowing you to skip this step.
- The riced cauliflower is then wrapped in cheesecloth or a clean dish towel and steamed. Squeeze to eliminate any extra moisture. If cauliflower retains too much water, your tortillas will be soggy.
- Combine the cauliflower with two big eggs and spices of your choosing. Try salt and pepper, or add cilantro, oregano, paprika, and other spices.
- Form tortillas by separating the “dough” into balls and shaping them. Put the tortillas on a baking sheet.
- Cook for 8 to 10 minutes in the oven, then turn and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Your tortillas should then be ready for consumption.
There are also tortillas made with almond flour and coconut flour. You may purchase them at certain places or make them at yourself by following a recipe, which you can easily obtain online.
You may also use other wraps for tortillas when preparing a meal. To create a meal, place your fillings in a lettuce or egg white wrap and fold it up.
Did We Help?
Tortillas made from corn are a wonderful method to regulate portion sizes and consume essential nutrients. They are also an excellent alternative to wheat flour for those who have difficulty digesting gluten. Although maize tortillas are a cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, you may be creative with how you include them in your diet.