Tortillas are used in a variety of Mexican food. Tortillas are used for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, tostadas and nachos. In most Mexican dishes the two most common types of tortillas used are corn or flour tortilla. However, there are other types of tortillas that most people may not think or know about. Today Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant would like to share the different types of tortillas used in Mexican cuisine.
What is the Best Type of Tortilla?
White Flour Tortillas – Flour based tortillas were introduced to Mexico and South America by the Spanish. Originally made with wheat flour, a white flour tortilla is a more modern version of a flour tortilla. A white flour tortilla can be pan cooked or cooked in an oven. The texture and firmness of the white flour tortilla makes them ideal for burritos and quesadillas. When making a Mexican dish with white flour tortillas, you can recook the flour tortilla in an oven, pan or even fry them.
Wheat Flour Tortillas – The Spanish brought over to South America the flour tortilla that was made with a wheat flour. Today you can still find wheat tortillas which is a healthier type of tortilla for you to eat. Like a white flour tortilla, you can use a wheat flour tortilla for burritos and quesadillas. If you are looking for a healthier tortilla, a wheat tortilla still tastes great and gives you the benefit of natural grains.
Yellow Corn Tortillas – A yellow corn tortilla is made with yellow corn and has a rich flavor. Yellow corn tortillas are mostly cook by frying them in oil but are also occasionally steamed for a more healthy tortilla. Yellow corn tortillas are commonly used for enchiladas, tacos and are often fried again to create tortilla chips.
White Corn Tortillas – There is another variety of corn tortilla which is a white corn tortilla and is made from a white corn. A white corn tortilla has a lighter flavor and a finer texture. White corn tortillas, like yellow corn tortillas, are fried or steamed. The white corn tortilla is a bit stronger tortilla which makes it perfect for tacos, quesadillas and is also used to make tortilla chips. Whereas the white corn tortillas are firmer, they are great tortilla chips which are easily able to hold a spoonful of beans or salsa.
Maize Tortillas – If you want to have the more traditional type of tortilla that has been used for hundreds of years in South America, then you are looking for the maize tortilla. Maize is part of the corn family and is original to South America. Most locals use maize flour to make their tortilla. There are three major species of maize found throughout south America, which is why you have white, yellow and blue maize tortillas. Maize has a great flavor and texture and can be used for just about any Mexican dish.
Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV, Paradise, Lone Mountain & Henderson, NV)
There are a number of different tortillas used in the heart of many Mexican dishes. If you are having a craving for some of your favorite Mexican food, come on down to Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant today.
